Fake 'embassy' busted in India: Man promises jobs abroad

Senior police officer Sushil Ghule of Uttar Pradesh state's special task force in northern India said the suspect posed as an ambassador and allegedly deceived people by promising them jobs abroad.

According to police, Harshvardhan Jain, 47, claimed to have acted as an adviser or ambassador to entities such as "Seborga" or "Westarctica."

Ghule said police discovered several forged photographs showing Jain with world leaders, as well as fake seals of India's Ministry of External Affairs and nearly thirty other countries.

A senior police officer also said Jain is suspected of illegally laundering money through shell companies abroad. He is also facing charges of:

• document forgery,
• impersonation,
• possession of fake documents.

Police seized four vehicles with fake diplomatic plates and nearly 4.5 million Indian rupees (equivalent to $52,095), along with other foreign currencies in cash, from the property Jain had rented, which was decorated with international flags from several countries.

Just days ago in India, the company Ideal Detonators Private Limited, exposed for selling powerful explosives to Russia, attempted to justify its actions.

According to the company, the octogen sold to the Russians was supposedly intended for "civilian-industrial purposes," not military use.

As early as July 24, Reuters reported that an Indian firm had supplied Russia with an explosive substance used in missiles. The shipment included HMX explosive material worth a total of $1.4 million.

India's Ministry of External Affairs claimed that the export of dual-use goods is supposedly carried out in compliance with international obligations and under strict legal regulations.

However, this substance is known to be on the list of materials banned for export to Russia. The supplier may be subject to US sanctions.