In a major push to curb digital fraud, Odisha Police has launched a large-scale enforcement drive targeting fraudulent bank accounts and cyber scams across the state. The initiative, named Operation Cyber Kavach, focuses on identifying mule (benami) bank accounts used in cybercrime networks and taking strict legal action against those involved.
The operation is being carried out under the direction of DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, with District Cyber Crime Units working under the supervision of District SPs and DCPs. Since its launch, authorities have verified 22,455 mule bank accounts across Odisha.
Police have registered 760 cybercrime cases linked to mule accounts, along with 31 cases involving ATM withdrawals, 26 cheque withdrawal fraud cases, and 16 cases related to fake SIM or PoS fraud. So far, 281 accused individuals have been arrested, while 592 suspected account holders and accomplices have received legal notices. Additionally, 147 older FIRs connected to cyber fraud are being re-examined.
District-level actions show the wide reach of the operation. Jagatsinghpur verified 21 accounts and registered 5 cases, while Jajpur checked 38 accounts and issued 11 notices. Puri verified 94 accounts, and Bargarh verified 109 accounts. Jharsuguda registered 4 cases and issued 16 notices, while Sambalpur verified 31 accounts, registering 3 mule bank cases and 1 cheque fraud case.
Kendujhar verified 11 accounts and registered 5 cases. Rourkela verified 60 accounts and registered 37 cases, issuing notices to all accused. Sundargarh verified 8 accounts, while Balasore checked 114 accounts. Gajapati verified 5 accounts, and Ganjam verified 64 accounts, arrested 4 accused, and issued 7 notices. Dhenkanal verified 125 accounts and registered 5 cases.
Further progress was reported across other districts. Cuttack verified 24 accounts and arrested 1 accused. Nayagarh verified 56 accounts and arrested 3 accused, while Balangir verified 26 accounts and Bhadrak verified 113 accounts. Mayurbhanj verified 75 accounts and issued 8 notices, and Cuttack (UPD) verified 68 accounts with 14 notices issued. Berhampur, Deogarh, and Boudh verified 32, 60, and 57 accounts respectively, with Boudh issuing notices to all 57 individuals. Kandhamal issued 31 notices linked to 2 old FIRs, while Kalahandi verified 46 accounts. Koraput, Nabarangpur, and Nuapada verified 2, 6, and 6 accounts respectively.
DGP Khurania stated that the police remain committed to protecting citizens’ digital transactions and that the campaign will be intensified further to make Odisha free from cybercrime.
Operation Cyber Kavach sends a strong message that misuse of anonymous bank accounts and digital fraud will not be tolerated, bringing multiple districts together in a coordinated effort to safeguard citizens from financial crime.
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