From Madam Zeher To La Barbie: The Strange Stories Behind Gangster Nicknames

Last Updated:February 20, 2026, 13:07 IST

From Mumbai to Mexico, criminals like Khusnuma Ansari “Madam Zeher”, Edgar Villarreal “La Barbie” and Charles Sobhraj “Bikini Killer” gained infamy through dramatic nicknames.

From the streets of Mumbai to the slums of Mexico City, gangsters and serial killers alike have long understood the power of a name. These nicknames are not just labels- they are symbols of fear, reputation and identity. Some are born from physical traits, some from a single notorious act and others from quirks or accidents that became legendary.

In India, Khusnuma Ansari, now dubbed “Madam Zeher," allegedly ran a drug syndicate while keeping up the facade of a beauty parlour in Northeast Delhi. Abroad, criminals like Edgar Valdez Villarreal, known as “La Barbie," and Charles Sobhraj, the “Bikini Killer," have become infamous almost entirely because of the dramatic monikers that accompany them.

From cunning killers to drug lords, from petty thugs to serial murderers, this list takes you through some of the strangest, most chilling aliases of gangsters and serial killers:

Read more: Delhi Police Arrest ‘Madam Zeher’, Alleged Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Operative Posing As Beautician

1. Madam Zeher- India’s Poison Queen

Khusnuma Ansari, allegedly running a drug syndicate linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, earned the nickname “Madam Zeher" (poison) from police for her alleged role in narcotics distribution. Her beauty parlour in Northeast Delhi was reportedly just a front.

2. Salim Tukaram- Named After A Savior

Salim, a hitman for Abu Salem, got his surname from a Shiv Sena leader who saved him after an accident. A name born of compassion for a man known for killings.

3. Charles Sobhraj- The Serpent / Bikini Killer

The French-Vietnamese criminal earned these nicknames for murdering Western tourists across Southeast Asia and escaping high-security prisons with eerie precision. His aliases emphasise both cunning and menace.

4. Edgar Valdez Villarreal- La Barbie

This Mexican drug lord was dubbed “La Barbie" because of his blue eyes and blonde hair. Appearance couldn’t disguise the brutal violence he unleashed in the US-Mexico drug trade.

5. Poone- The Cat-Eyed Don

Narasimha Murthy from Bengaluru earned this Tamil nickname meaning “cat," referring to his piercing eyes that terrorized victims.

6. Station Shekhar- The Railway Phantom

A notorious travel mafia don, he hid in railway stations after committing crimes, earning a nickname directly tied to his escape strategy.

7. Koti Rama- The Monkey Man

Another Bengaluru gangster, Koti Rama’s nickname derived from his simian-like appearance.

8. Cyanide Mohan- The Methodical Killer

Mohan Kumar, convicted serial killer in India, used cyanide to murder his victims. His nickname is literal, terrifying and unforgettable.

9. Ted “The Milwaukee Cannibal" Bundy 

Bundy, one of America’s most infamous serial killers, was called the Milwaukee Cannibal (among other nicknames) for his brutal killings and manipulative persona.

10. Richard “The Night Stalker" Ramirez

Ramirez, active in California, earned this name for his nighttime killing spree. His nickname conveyed both fear and the method of his crimes.

11. Andrei “The Butcher of Rostov" Chikatilo

Chikatilo, convicted of murdering over 50 people in the USSR, became notorious as “The Butcher of Rostov," a name that captured the gruesome nature of his crimes.

12. Pedro Alonso Lopez

This Colombian serial killer earned the chilling moniker for murdering hundreds of young girls across South America.

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