Operation Cyber Kavach’: 3,625 Mule Bank Accounts Verified, 187 Arrested Across Odisha
Odisha Police has intensified its crackdown on cybercrime under the special drive ‘Operation Cyber Kavach’, which has now entered its tenth day and continues to gather momentum across the state.
The statewide initiative is being conducted under the direction of Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, with district Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) directly supervising the operation. District Cyber Crime Units are carrying out the enforcement, while the Cyber Crime Unit of the CID-Crime Branch is coordinating and monitoring the overall drive. The primary objective of the campaign is to dismantle the financial infrastructure that supports cybercriminal activities.
So far, a total of 3,625 mule (benami) bank accounts have been verified across Odisha. During the course of the operation, police have registered 275 cases related to mule accounts, eight cases involving cheque withdrawals, and seven cases connected to fake SIM PoS verification. As part of the crackdown, 187 accused persons have been arrested.
In addition, legal notices have been issued to 1,075 suspected facilitators and account holders in connection with newly registered cases as well as 84 previously lodged FIRs. The move aims to identify and act against individuals who knowingly or unknowingly assist cybercriminal networks by providing bank accounts or other logistical support.
At the district level, Jagatsinghpur police verified 20 benami accounts and registered one cybercrime case. In Jajpur, 44 accounts were examined, leading to four cases and notices issued to 47 individuals. Kendrapara police verified 88 accounts, registered five cases, and served notices to 67 persons. In Khordha, 98 accounts were verified and six cases were registered, with notices issued to two individuals.
Similarly, Puri district police examined 71 benami accounts and registered four mule bank-related cases along with one cheque withdrawal case. Six accused persons were arrested in the district, and notices were issued to 15 individuals. Comparable actions including account verification, case registration, arrests, and issuance of notices have been undertaken in several other districts across the state.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting citizens’ digital transactions, the DGP stated that the operation will be intensified further in the coming days. Through ‘Operation Cyber Kavach’, Odisha Police aims to significantly curb cybercrime and strengthen digital security across the state.
