Introduction

2min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

Newark, New Jersey Mayor Ross Baraka invited what he thought was the Hindu nation of Kailasa for a cultural trade agreement. A woman in an orange sari with a unique left-armed tattoo takes the stage and makes some remarks. Turns out Kailasa isn't a real nation, but rather the invention of a scam artist and fugitive who's from India. He tells people that he's going to help them achieve enlightenment.

Newark officials rescinded a sister city agreement with the United States of Kailasa after finding out it wasn’t actually a real place. Reporter Sushmita Pathak explains how a fugitive cult leader from India created a fake nation that conned everyday people, government officials, and the UN.

This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Amina Al-Sadi and Amanda Lewellyn, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices