Mumbai man used ChatGPT to fake PMO ID ‘to boost social standing’, police tell court

A 24-year-old individual, Rohan Parikh, was arrested for attempting to enter the Jio World Plaza in Mumbai with a private security guard who was carrying a firearm while posing as a Prime Minister's Office (PMO) official. According to the police, Parikh had reportedly been creating counterfeit PMO documents using ChatGPT since 2025 to enhance his self-image and impress others.

The Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU) did not request additional custody for Parikh but requested time to investigate whether he utilized the fake PMO identity card and documents for further purposes. A magistrate ordered Parikh and his bodyguard, Dilip Kunde, to remain in judicial custody. Defence counsel requested the police to submit their response so they could file bail applications.

The case was adjourned until September 17, 2026, for the police's reply and hearing. The police recovered a laptop, hard drive, and PMO-related documents from Parikh's residence in Khar. His mobile phone contained searches related to creating PMO correspondence. During the search of Parikh's residence on September 8, a laptop and hard drive were seized, along with documents purportedly belonging to the PMO.

Parikh initially gave vague answers but later admitted to creating the documents using ChatGPT during interrogation.