Ahmedabad man dupes 21 women online by posing as cop on matrimonial sites, arrested

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested a man accused of posing as a Gujarat Police officer on matrimonial and dating platforms and allegedly cheating at least 21 women across four states. The accused, identified as Himanshu alias Rocky Panchal, was reportedly residing in Udaipur at the time of his arrest. According to police, he created fake profiles on platforms including Shaadi.com, Jeevansathi, Bumble, and Hinge, where he allegedly introduced himself as a Police Sub-Inspector associated with the cybercrime wing of Gujarat Police. Investigators stated that he used AI-generated photographs, fabricated government documents, and forged identity cards to gain the trust of women before allegedly extorting money from them.

Police officials stated that Panchal allegedly used digital editing tools to create fake appointment letters, suspension notices, and documents purportedly issued by government departments. He reportedly claimed that he was facing legal troubles, financial emergencies, or suspension from service in order to seek money from victims. According to investigators, several women transferred funds believing the claims made by the accused. Police stated that women from Ahmedabad’s Naroda and Navrangpura areas approached authorities after becoming suspicious, leading to the investigation. Officials further alleged that women in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra were targeted in the fraud operation.

Police said a rape case had previously been registered against the accused at Nalasopara police station near Mumbai after he allegedly lured a woman to a hotel using a similar identity. After being released on bail in that case, he allegedly continued targeting women through online platforms. Investigators stated that one woman from Ahmedabad’s Nava Vadaj area allegedly paid him Rs 50,000 on the pretext of arranging bail, while another woman from Naroda reportedly lost Rs 1.8 lakh. A woman from Navrangpura was allegedly cheated of nearly Rs 80,000. Police are continuing the investigation to identify additional victims and examine the full extent of the alleged fraud network.