US national nabbed at Nepal border with Chinese passport
A 36-year-old American who said his name was Jordan Brown from California was arrested on July 11 while trying to cross into Nepal on an unauthorised footpath near the Sonauli border in Maharajganj district, Uttar Pradesh. Security forces found a Chinese passport and other items on him, prompting a multi-agency investigation. Brown said he served in the US Navy and Special Forces, but officials have not confirmed this.
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) officers stopped Brown during a routine patrol in the Mainihwa area, near border pillar 516 under Sonauli police station. This part of the India-Nepal border is busy and connects Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh with Bhairahawa in Nepal. Police said Brown was stopped for verification as he approached the border. He reportedly tried to run into Nepal, pushing past SSB officers and local people, but villagers helped catch him. He did not have a valid passport, visa, or any identity documents at the time.
Maharajganj Superintendent of Police Shakti Mohan Awasthi said, “He was not carrying documents that could confirm his identity. He identified himself as Jordan Brown, a resident of California, United States. We have informed the US Embassy about him.” Police registered a case at Sonauli police station under Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. Brown was brought before a local court and sent to judicial custody.
During questioning, Brown said he served in the US Navy and the Special Forces for about 6 years and left 2 years ago. He also said he studied at the University of California, that both his parents have died, and that he has travelled to nearly 70 countries. Brown said he met an Indian yoga instructor from Uttarakhand in Italy about three years ago and married her in October 2024. He told police he planned to go to Nepal to meet a Nepalese person named Naz, whom he met in Goa. He also said someone he knows in Bengaluru has his passport.
Brown gave conflicting accounts about when he arrived in India and his movements near the border. He said he went to Thailand on a tourist visa last year and lost his documents there. He claimed he travelled by sea to Sri Lanka and entered India illegally around November 2, 2025. He also said he came to Goa from the United States about two months ago, after visiting Bali, Indonesia, in May.
He said he stayed in Goa for six weeks, then went to Bengaluru. From there, he took a bus to Lucknow on July 8, went to Gorakhpur, and then took a taxi to Sonauli. He told police he spent time in Goa, then went to Noida, and later reached Maharajganj to cross the river.
UP Police officials noticed inconsistencies and unclear details in his contacts and plans, which raised concerns during questioning. These discrepancies in dates (especially the 2025 vs 2026 arrival claims) and routes are why multiple central agencies are conducting detailed verification of his identity, travel history, and movements of approximately 8 months (from early November 2025 to July 11, 2026). He had no valid Indian visa or passport during this entire period, according to authorities.
Items found with him, including a Chinese passport, are being checked by forensic and intelligence teams. However, the officials say they have not found any evidence of espionage or anti-national activities so far, but the investigation is ongoing. Central intelligence and security agencies have questioned Brown. Authorities are checking his identity, claimed military background, travel history, movements in India, and possible local contacts.
Police are also checking if anyone in India helped him reach the border. UP Police have informed the US Embassy, as is standard for foreign nationals. The investigation is ongoing. Officials say there is no immediate security threat, but they are being extra cautious because of the border location and Brown’s unverified claims of military service.
