Bhubaneswar: In a massive crackdown on cybercrime, the Odisha Police have verified over 24,555 mule (benami) bank accounts across the state under the ongoing Operation Cyber Kavach, resulting in the arrest of 289 persons and the issuance of more than 5,380 legal notices. The operation, directed by DGP Y.B. Khurania, aims to dismantle cyber fraud networks and safeguard digital transactions for the citizens of Odisha.
The statewide drive is being executed by the District Cyber Crime Units under the supervision of the respective SPs and DCPs. The operation targets mule bank accounts used in cyber fraud, along with their associates, and also addresses crimes related to ATM withdrawals, cheque fraud, and fake SIM/PoS operations. To date, 827 cases related to mule accounts, 32 new cases of ATM cash withdrawals, 27 cases of cheque fraud, and 18 cases concerning fake SIM/PoS verification have been registered.
District-wise, the operation has yielded significant results. In Rourkela, the police verified 20 anonymous accounts, registered 10 cases, and issued legal notices to nine individuals. Sundargarh saw 215 accounts verified, with three cases registered and two notices issued. The Bhubaneswar UPD unit verified 306 accounts, registered two cases, and issued notices to six individuals.
In Deogarh and Subarnapur, 53 and 79 mule accounts were verified respectively, with one case registered in each district and notices issued to two individuals. Sambalpur police verified 102 accounts, registering 14 cases related to mule bank accounts and two cases related to fake SIMs, while issuing notices to 17 individuals. Angul district verified 144 mule accounts, registered one case connected to old FIRs, and issued 23 notices. Bhadrak verified 88 accounts and registered one case, while Jharsuguda reported action on one mule account.
In Keonjhar, 20 cases related to mule accounts were registered, including 28 linked to bank fraud, one case related to ATM withdrawal, and one to cheque fraud. Five persons were arrested and 20 notices issued. Ganjam verified 13 mule accounts, registered one case, and arrested one accused, while Puri registered three cases linked to four accounts, with one arrest made.
Further action was reported from Cuttack UPD, Kandhamal, and Berhampur, where hundreds of accounts were verified and notices issued. Boudh verified 56 anonymous accounts and issued notices to all individuals, while Malkangiri verified eight accounts, arrested two persons in old FIR cases, and issued six notices. Kalahandi verified 11 accounts, arrested two accused, and issued four notices.
Additional verification drives were conducted in Cuttack Rural, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Nuapada, Balangir, Balasore, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, and Mayurbhanj, where hundreds of accounts were verified and legal notices issued to suspected associates.
Reiterating the department’s commitment, DGP Y.B. Khurania stated, “Odisha Police remains committed to protecting the digital transactions of citizens and dismantling cyber fraud networks. This campaign will be further intensified in the coming days to make Odisha a cybercrime-free state.”
