A United States national, who claimed to be a former US Special Forces serviceman, was arrested near the Indo-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj district after allegedly attempting to cross into Nepal through an unauthorised route without carrying any passport, visa or valid identity documents.
The arrest has prompted a detailed investigation by security agencies after the man reportedly gave conflicting accounts of his identity, travel history and purpose of visit during interrogation.
According to police, the foreign national was intercepted near Border Pillar No. 516 along a foot trail under the Bhagwanpur police outpost in the Sonauli Kotwali area while allegedly attempting to enter Nepal outside the designated immigration corridor.
🚨 HUGE! Another US national, reportedly a former Special Forces officer, was caught near the Indo-Nepal border without valid documents.
He allegedly tried to cross into Nepal after breaking free from an SSB jawan but was caught by local villagers 🔥 pic.twitter.com/C17SGbVc78
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) July 13, 2026
Security personnel deployed near the border noticed the man moving towards Nepal through an unofficial pathway and signalled him to stop. Officials said the man allegedly attempted to flee after being challenged but was quickly apprehended by security personnel and taken to the security company’s headquarters for questioning.
During the initial interrogation, officers found that he was not carrying any passport, visa or any other document that could establish either his identity or his legal status in India.
Police said the absence of travel documents, coupled with inconsistent statements, raised immediate security concerns. According to Station House Officer Mahendra Mishra of Sonauli Police Station, the man identified himself as a resident of California, United States.
During questioning, he claimed to have studied at the University of California and said he had served in the US Navy and Special Forces for six years before leaving military service around two years ago.
“He told investigators that he had studied at the University of California and had served in the US Navy and Special Forces for six years before leaving military service around two years ago. He also said that both his parents had passed away,” SHO Mahendra Mishra said.
Police said these claims are currently being verified through appropriate channels.
The foreign national also told investigators that he had travelled to nearly 70 countries. According to his statement, he arrived in India after visiting Bali, Indonesia, in May. He further claimed that he had travelled from the United States to Goa nearly two months ago, where he stayed for about six weeks before moving to Bengaluru.
From Bengaluru, he allegedly boarded a bus to Lucknow on July 8, later travelled to Gorakhpur, and finally hired a taxi to reach the Sonauli border in Maharajganj district.
However, police said his account of his movements changed repeatedly during questioning.
Investigators said the man claimed he was attempting to enter Nepal to meet a person identified only as “Naz,” whom he described as a Nepalese national he had met while staying in Goa. He further stated that another acquaintance from Bengaluru was currently in possession of his passport.
However, officials said he failed to provide complete addresses, contact details or any verifiable information about either individual, further raising doubts about his version of events.
During interrogation, the man also claimed that he had met an Indian woman from Uttarakhand while travelling in Italy around three years ago. According to his statement, the two married in October 2024, and his wife currently works as a yoga instructor.
Police are also verifying these claims as part of the ongoing investigation. Officials said the US national repeatedly changed his statements regarding his identity, travel route and reasons for entering Nepal.
The inconsistencies have prompted multiple security agencies to verify every aspect of his background, travel records and activities in India. Police have informed the US Embassy about the arrest and initiated legal proceedings.
