A swanky two-storey building, four cars with diplomatic number plates parked outside, a name plate that read, “Grand Duchy of Westarctica” and “H E HV Jain Honorary Consul” — the fake embassy busted in Ghaziabad near Delhi is a perfect example of hiding in plain sight.

Harshvardhan Jain, who was arrested after Uttar Pradesh’s Special Task Force busted the fake embassy, allegedly ran a job scam by promising people work abroad. He is also accused of being part of a money laundering racket through hawala and forging diplomatic documents.

Officers of the STF have recovered the cars with diplomatic number plates, ‘diplomatic passports’ of 12 micronations, documents with stamps of the External Affairs Ministry, stamps of 34 nations, Rs 44 lakh in cash, foreign currency, 18 diplomatic number plates, and a luxury watch collection.

To carry out his illegal activities, Jain had prepared the perfect cover. He ran a consulate from a rented property in Ghaziabad. These premises had the flags of India and Westarctica, a micronation in Antarctica not recognised by any sovereign state in the world. Outside this plush property were luxury cars, including an Audi and a Mercedes, with diplomatic number plates. Jain’s office had morphed photographs in which he is seen with Prime Ministers and Presidents.