The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested a man accused of impersonating a Gujarat Police officer and allegedly cheating at least 21 women across multiple states through matrimonial and dating platforms. Investigators say the accused used fake identities, AI-generated images, forged official documents, and fabricated stories to emotionally manipulate women and extort money from them.
The accused has been identified as Himanshu Panchal, also known by the alias Rocky Panchal. Police said he is originally from Ahmedabad but was reportedly living in Udaipur at the time of his arrest.
According to Crime Branch officials, Panchal allegedly created fake profiles on several popular matrimonial and dating applications, including Shaadi.com, Jeevansathi, Bumble, and Hinge.
Police stated that the accused used artificial intelligence tools, image-editing software, and digital design applications to present himself as a Police Sub-Inspector associated with the cybercrime wing of Gujarat Police.
Bharat Patel said Panchal allegedly generated fake photographs of himself dressed in a police uniform using AI technology to build credibility and gain the trust of women he contacted online.
Investigators further revealed that the accused also allegedly created forged government-related documents, including fake police identity cards, fabricated appointment letters, suspension notices, and other official-looking paperwork using digital stamps and graphic design tools.
According to police, Panchal would first establish contact with women through social media platforms, matrimonial websites, and dating applications before gradually manipulating them emotionally and convincing them that he was involved in serious legal or financial difficulties.
Officials said he frequently claimed that he had been suspended from duty, trapped in legal complications, or facing urgent financial emergencies. He would then allegedly request money from victims under various pretexts.
Investigators stated that Panchal also used forged documents supposedly issued by government agencies to strengthen his fabricated stories. These allegedly included fake Income Tax Department raid notices and fabricated claims that his bank accounts had been frozen by authorities.
Believing the documents and stories to be genuine, several women reportedly transferred substantial amounts of money to him over time.
The fraud operation reportedly came to light after women from the Naroda and Navrangpura areas of Ahmedabad became suspicious about his claims and approached the police.
Crime Branch officials said Panchal allegedly cheated women not only in Gujarat but also in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, suggesting the scam may have operated across a wide network.
Police also disclosed that a rape case had previously been registered against Panchal at the Nalasopara Police Station near Mumbai. In that case, he allegedly lured a woman from Virar to a hotel using similar deceptive tactics.
Officials stated that he was later released on bail in connection with that case.
After obtaining bail, Panchal allegedly continued targeting women through online platforms and social media.
Police cited several specific cases uncovered during the investigation. In one instance, he reportedly took Rs 50,000 from a woman from Ahmedabad’s Nava Vadaj area by falsely claiming he needed money to arrange bail expenses.
Another woman from Naroda allegedly lost Rs 1.8 lakh, while a victim from Navrangpura was reportedly cheated of nearly Rs 80,000 through similar fabricated stories and emotional manipulation.
Investigators believe the actual number of victims could be significantly higher than the currently identified cases. Authorities are now examining digital evidence, bank transactions, online profiles, and communication records linked to the accused.
Police said further investigation is underway to identify additional victims, trace financial transactions, and determine whether other individuals assisted Panchal in operating the alleged fraud network.
The case has also raised concerns about the increasing misuse of artificial intelligence tools, digital editing software, and fake online identities in cyber-enabled fraud involving emotional manipulation and impersonation on matrimonial and dating platforms.
