A shocking incident came to light as authorities busted a fake embassy being run from a rented house in Ghaziabad by a local man impersonating a diplomat.

The accused, identified as Rajeev Sharma, was operating a fully furnished “embassy office” from his rented residence in the Indirapuram area. He posed as a high-ranking official of a foreign consulate, complete with fabricated seals, stamps, flags, and forged documents. Investigators believe Sharma issued fake visas, attested documents, and duped unsuspecting citizens under the pretext of offering overseas employment and immigration services.

The racket was uncovered following a complaint from a victim who realized the documents he received were fraudulent. A joint team of local police and intelligence officials raided the premises and seized several fake passports, visa stamps, counterfeit currency, and laptops containing sensitive data. The accused has been taken into custody and booked under various sections of fraud, impersonation, and forgery.

Officials suspect the racket may have links to international trafficking networks and have widened the probe to trace his accomplices and beneficiaries of the fake documents.

Residents of the locality expressed disbelief upon learning that such an operation was being carried out right under their noses. “We had no idea what was going on. He kept to himself but appeared sophisticated and always had visitors,” said a neighbor.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been informed and is cooperating with the investigation. Authorities have urged people to verify credentials before engaging in immigration or foreign employment procedures.

This case underlines the need for stricter oversight and public awareness to prevent such fraudulent diplomatic setups.