Mumbai: The Waliv police in Vasai East have arrested a 26-year-old man from Gujarat for allegedly raping over 15 women he met on matrimonial websites over the past two and a half years, under the pretense of marriage. The accused, identified as Himanshu Yogeshbhai Panchal, a resident of Ahmedabad, had reportedly created a fake profile on these platforms, posing as a Delhi crime branch officer attached to the cyber security division.
Accused Used Fake Profiles To Lure Women
According to the police, Panchal’s fake profile portrayed him as a wealthy individual with multiple properties, adding to his deceptive allure. He would initiate contact with young women on matrimonial sites, gain their trust, and invite them to hotels in Vasai, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. During these meetings, he would promise marriage, present them with fake diamond jewelry, and coerce them into physical relationships on the very first encounter.
Beyond sexual exploitation, Panchal allegedly extorted money from his victims by fabricating emergencies. Once he had extracted financial and physical benefits, he would sever all communication, leaving the victims devastated.
How Did The Fraud Come To Light?
The conman's string of alleged crimes came to light when a 31-year-old woman from Mira Road approached the Waliv police on February 6, reported Hindustan Times. She reported that Panchal had contacted her through a matrimonial site, gained her trust by gifting a diamond necklace, which was later discovered to be fake and then raped her. She provided the police with details of two hotels in Vasai and Ahmedabad where the assaults had occurred.
Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Sanap of Waliv police station revealed that Panchal had a smooth-talking demeanor and fluent English, which helped him manipulate his victims. “He was a sweet talker who impressed women with his good English. He used five phones and an Apple laptop and always relied on hotel WiFi and WhatsApp for communication to avoid detection,” Sanap told HT.
The police conducted a technical investigation, tracing Panchal's digital footprint to Ahmedabad, where he was arrested. Authorities are now investigating whether more women were targeted by Panchal, as his method suggests a calculated and repeated pattern of exploitation.
