The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested Himanshu alias Rocky Panchal, a 27-year-old man from Udaipur, Rajasthan, for allegedly impersonating a Gujarat Police Sub-Inspector on dating and matrimonial platforms using AI-generated photographs and forged police identity cards to deceive more than 20 women across multiple cities. The arrest, announced on Friday, 23 May 2025, follows complaints registered at Navrangpura and Naroda police stations in Ahmedabad.

How the Deception Was Built

Panchal, who was residing in the Sabarmati area of Ahmedabad at the time of his arrest, operated across platforms including Shaadi.com, Jeevansathi, Bumble, Hinge, and Instagram, presenting himself as a Sub-Inspector posted in the Crime Branch's Cyber Security department.

According to a senior police official, the accused used AI technology to generate photographs of himself in police uniform and uploaded them as profile pictures. He then used Canva, a stamp-maker application, and a signature-maker application to fabricate identity cards bearing the names 'Government of India' and 'Crime Branch Cyber Security'. He also reportedly purchased physical Gujarat Police accessories — including logos, belts, badges, caps, monograms, and Ashoka emblem stickers — from stores to reinforce the deception during in-person meetings.

The Pattern of Fraud

Investigators say that over approximately six months, Panchal established romantic relationships with more than 20 women by promising marriage and emotionally manipulating them before extracting financial benefits. Police described his targets as young women and divorced women whom he contacted through online dating and matrimonial platforms.

In one documented instance, a woman from Navrangpura — contacted via the Bumble application — allegedly handed over ₹79,700 after Panchal claimed he needed money for house construction, and later demanded more for a police-department mobile phone. She reportedly grew suspicious, verified his claims independently, and filed a complaint.

In a separate case, a woman from Naroda was allegedly persuaded to provide a SIM card and allow use of her bank account; police say Panchal obtained nearly ₹1.8 lakh from her under various pretexts. A woman from Ghatlodia, contacted through the Hinge application, was called to Hotel Hillock where he allegedly demanded money — she declined after becoming suspicious.

Prior Criminal Record in Mumbai

The investigation revealed that Panchal had a prior criminal case registered against him at Nala Sopara police station in Mumbai in 2025. He had allegedly contacted a woman from Virar through a dating application, posed as a police officer for the purpose of marriage, and stayed with her at a hotel. A case of rape and impersonation was registered, following which he was arrested and subsequently released on bail.

After securing bail, he allegedly contacted a woman from New Vadaj in Ahmedabad via Instagram and took ₹50,000 from her by claiming the money was needed to cover bail expenses. He also reportedly travelled with her to Mumbai and Goa.

What Was Seized and Charges Filed

During the arrest operation, police seized a mobile phone, ₹40,000 in cash, a forged identity card with photographs in police uniform, logos, a red police belt, badges, and Ashoka emblem stickers.

The Crime Branch has registered offences under Sections 204, 205, and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigators also found that Panchal had developed online relationships with women from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh and Udaipur, Rajasthan, suggesting the scale of the alleged fraud extended well beyond Ahmedabad.

The case highlights a growing pattern of AI-assisted identity fraud on matrimonial and dating platforms, and is expected to prompt renewed scrutiny of verification mechanisms on such services.