Bhubaneswar: In one of the most extensive crackdowns on cyber fraud networks in recent times, Odisha Police has verified 13,976 mule or benami bank accounts and arrested 255 accused persons under its ongoing statewide drive, Operation Cyber Kavach.
The special campaign, launched to dismantle the financial infrastructure of cybercriminals, is being carried out under the direction of Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania and monitored directly by district SPs and DCPs through their respective cyber crime units.
Police said the operation focuses on identifying mule accounts used to channel proceeds of online frauds, tracking down facilitators who provide or operate such accounts, and initiating strict legal action against those involved.
So far, 531 cases related to mule bank accounts have been registered across the state, along with 20 cases involving ATM cash withdrawals, 20 cases related to cheque-based withdrawals, and 12 cases linked to fake SIM and PoS fraud. In addition to the arrests, legal notices have been issued to 3,453 suspected account holders and facilitators connected to newly detected cases as well as 130 old FIRs.
The district-wise enforcement drive has revealed the widespread use of benami accounts across Odisha. In Cuttack district, 73 accounts were verified and notices were issued to individuals linked to new and old cases. Jagatsinghpur police verified 111 accounts, while Jajpur reported verification of 209 accounts and registration of cases including those related to fake SIM and PoS misuse. Kendrapara police registered multiple cases tied to mule banking and cheque withdrawals after verifying over a hundred accounts. In Khordha district, cases were registered not only for mule accounts but also for ATM withdrawals and fake SIM-related fraud.
Puri district recorded one of the higher verification figures with 588 benami accounts scrutinised, leading to multiple case registrations and arrests. Bargarh and Boudh districts reported arrests in connection with their investigations, while Sambalpur, Balasore, Mayurbhanj and several other districts issued notices to dozens of suspected facilitators. In Bhubaneswar under the Urban Police District, 114 accounts were verified, cases were registered and arrests were made. Districts such as Kalahandi and Nabarangpur also reported arrests along with issuance of legal notices, indicating that the drive has reached even remote regions of the state.
Police officials stated that mule accounts serve as a crucial link in cyber fraud operations, allowing criminals to siphon and layer stolen funds before withdrawing or transferring them further. By systematically identifying and freezing such accounts and prosecuting the individuals behind them, the department aims to disrupt the financial chain sustaining cybercrime networks.
DGP Khurania has made it clear that Operation Cyber Kavach will be intensified in the coming days, with stricter surveillance and coordinated enforcement to ensure safer digital transactions for citizens. The Odisha Police reiterated its resolve to build a cyber crime-free state and warned that anyone found lending, selling or operating bank accounts for fraudulent purposes will face stringent legal consequences.
