The Ahmedabad Crime Branch apprehended a 27-year-old man, Himanshu alias Rocky Panchal, for posing as a Gujarat Police Sub-Inspector on dating and matrimonial websites. Using AI-generated images and police symbols, he deceived women into relationships to extort money and support. The accused, originally from Udaipur, Rajasthan, was nabbed in Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati area in connection with cases at Navrangpura and Naroda police stations.
Police disclosed that the man, under the alias “Rocky Panchal,” utilized various online platforms like Shaadi.com, Jeevansathi, Bumble, and Hinge to connect with women, falsely presenting himself as a Cyber Security department officer in the Crime Branch. Employing AI tools, he crafted police uniform photos and forged identity cards with government and Crime Branch Cyber Security labels to enhance his deceit.
Authorities mentioned that the accused acquired Gujarat Police-related gear such as logos, belts, badges, caps, and stickers featuring the Ashoka emblem to convince women of his police status. Over approximately six months, he engaged in romantic relationships with over 20 women, exploiting them emotionally with false promises of marriage and extracting financial gains.
During the arrest operation, police seized incriminating evidence including a mobile phone, Rs 40,000 in cash, forged identity cards, police uniform photos, logos, a red police belt, badges, and Ashoka emblem stickers. The man had a prior criminal case from 2025 in Nala Sopara police station, Mumbai, where he faced charges of rape and impersonation after deceiving a woman into a relationship.
Further investigations revealed his fraudulent activities with multiple women, including obtaining money under false pretenses, exploiting bank accounts, and seeking financial assistance for fictitious purposes. The accused’s deceptive practices spanned across various cities, involving manipulation, financial exploitation, and breach of trust, leading to multiple complaints and legal actions against him.
