Man who posed as PSI to dupe women through dating apps arrested in Ahmedabad

The Detection of Crime Branch in Ahmedabad has arrested a 27-year-old man from Rajasthan for allegedly posing as a Gujarat Police PSI on online dating and matrimonial platforms, using AI-generated profiles and forged identity cards to lure women into relationships and extract money and other favours from them.

The accused has been identified as Himanshu alias Rocky Panchal, son of Yogeshbhai Chamanlal Panchal. He is originally from Udaipur in Rajasthan and was also residing in the Sabarmati area of Ahmedabad.

According to the Crime Branch, the accused created fake profiles on several dating and matrimonial applications, including Shadi.com, Jeevansathi, Bumble, Hinge and other online platforms to contact women.

Police said the accused falsely projected himself as a Police Sub-Inspector posted with the Cyber Security wing of the Gujarat Police Crime Branch. He allegedly used the name 'Rocky Panchal' while interacting with women online and developed romantic relationships with them under the false identity.

Investigators said the accused used applications such as Canva, along with digital stamp and signature maker tools, to prepare forged identity cards bearing the names 'Government of India' and 'Crime Branch Cyber Security' in order to make his claims appear genuine.

During the operation, Crime Branch officials seized an Oppo mobile phone, cash amounting to ₹40,000, a fake identity card carrying photographs of the accused in police uniform, Gujarat Police logos, police badges, a red police belt and stickers bearing the Ashoka emblem.

Police officials said the accused had allegedly used AI-generated photographs and fabricated police credentials to gain the trust of women and obtain money and other benefits from them.

Further investigation is under way to ascertain the number of victims and whether the accused was involved in additional cases of impersonation or cyber fraud.