Cyber-KAVACH Drive: Central Range Police Crack Down on Mule Accounts, SIM Fraud and ATM Scams

Cuttack: The Central Range Police, Cuttack, has launched an intensive special enforcement drive titled “Cyber-KAVACH” from February 13 to March 1, 2026, aimed at curbing cyber financial fraud, mule bank accounts, fraudulent SIM issuance and illegal monetary withdrawals across seven districts.

The drive is being conducted in Cuttack, Khordha, Puri, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Nayagarh districts, with coordinated enforcement, verification and preventive legal action.

Major Action Against Mule Bank Accounts

Based on a compilation of 2025 data, police verified as many as 7,144 mule bank accounts during the drive. A total of 296 new cases were registered and 1,272 notices served. Ten accused persons were arrested, while 20 old FIR linkages were detected.

During scrutiny, 1,322 accounts were verified as genuine, 704 accounts were placed under investigation and 608 remained under verification. Police froze 208 accounts and blocked ₹49,50,280 suspected to be linked to cyber fraud. Additionally, 42 cognizable cases were registered in suspicious accounts.

Investigations revealed that 872 accounts were being operated outside Odisha and 332 within districts of the state. As many as 555 cases involved commission-based facilitation for opening bank accounts. Police also detected 56 out-of-district operational linkages.

While 167 accounts were found to have no suspicious activity after enquiry, three accounts were found to be non-existent.

The modus operandi uncovered during the drive included 401 cases of account-to-account transfers, two instances where fraud money was directly credited into mule accounts, two cases of self-opened accounts for fraudulent purposes and several commission-based account opening rackets.

Action Against Fraudulent SIM Issuance

Police also initiated action against Points of Sale (PoS) suspected of issuing SIM cards in bulk through fraudulent means. Twenty PoS were identified during the drive.

Seven cases have been registered and five notices served so far. Seven PoS are currently under verification and one is under detailed investigation. Officials said strict scrutiny is being undertaken to dismantle SIM-based facilitation networks that enable cyber fraud.

Crackdown on ATM Withdrawal Fraud

In connection with ATM-related fraud, police verified 833 ATM transactions. Twenty-four cases were registered and 18 notices issued. An amount of ₹32,33,327 was blocked during the investigation, while 58 cases are under enquiry.

Police said focused action is underway to identify handlers and beneficiaries involved in fraudulent ATM withdrawals.

Cheque-Based Fraudulent Withdrawals Exposed

The drive also brought to light cheque-based fraudulent withdrawals. Police verified 84 bank accounts, registered 15 cases and served nine notices. Four accused persons were arrested and ₹13,94,124 blocked. As many as 47 cases are currently under enquiry.

Investigations revealed misuse of cheque books and ATM instruments linked to mule accounts as part of organized fraud mechanisms.

Interstate Linkages Unearthed

Officials said the sustained enforcement under the Cyber-KAVACH drive has exposed interstate linkages, commission-based account opening networks, fraudulent SIM issuance chains and systematic ATM and cheque withdrawal mechanisms.

Odisha Police reiterated its commitment to zero tolerance towards cyber-enabled financial fraud, proactive verification of suspicious financial transactions, inter-state coordination to dismantle organized cyber crime networks and preventive action through freezing and blocking of fraudulent proceeds.

Citizens have been advised to remain vigilant and immediately report cyber fraud by dialling 1930 or through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

Police said the Cyber-KAVACH drive will continue with intensified field verification, legal action and technological tracking to ensure robust cyber security across the Central Range.