Operation Cyber Kavach: 281 Arrested in Odisha Cyber Crackdown

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Police have intensified their statewide campaign against cybercrime through a special drive titled ‘Operation Cyber Kavach’, aimed at cracking down on fraudulent bank accounts and digital scams across the state. The operation is being carried out under the direction of DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania and is implemented by District Cyber Crime Units under the supervision of respective SPs and DCPs.

The primary objective of the operation is to identify mule (benami) bank accounts that are being used to facilitate cyber fraud and to take strict legal action against account holders and their accomplices. Since the launch of the drive, police have verified 22,455 mule bank accounts across Odisha.

During the crackdown, a total of 760 cybercrime cases related to mule accounts have been registered. In addition, 31 cases involving ATM withdrawals, 26 cheque withdrawal fraud cases, and 16 fake SIM or PoS-related fraud cases have also been reported. So far, 281 accused have been arrested, while 592 suspected account holders and accomplices have been served legal notices. Moreover, 147 older FIRs linked to cyber fraud have been brought under scrutiny as part of the ongoing operation.

District-wise data highlight the extensive reach of the campaign. In Jagatsinghpur, police verified 21 anonymous accounts, registered five cases, and issued legal notices to five individuals. Jajpur authorities checked 38 accounts, registered one case, and issued 11 notices, while Puri police verified 94 accounts and registered two cases. Bargarh police verified 109 accounts, registered one case, and issued one notice. Jharsuguda authorities verified eight accounts, registered four cases, and issued 16 legal notices. Sambalpur police verified 31 accounts, registered three mule bank cases and one cheque fraud case, and issued 15 notices.

In Kendujhar, 11 anonymous accounts were verified, five cases were registered, and five legal notices were issued. Rourkela district police verified 60 accounts and registered 37 cases, issuing notices to all accused. Sundargarh verified eight accounts, registered one case, and issued one notice. Balasore authorities checked 114 accounts, registered two cases, and issued six notices. Gajapati police verified five accounts, registered one case, and issued five notices. Ganjam district police verified 64 accounts, registered four cases, arrested four accused, and issued seven notices. Dhenkanal police verified 125 accounts and registered five cases.

In Cuttack, police verified 24 accounts, registered one fake SIM/PoS case, arrested one accused, and issued notices to three individuals, including one linked to an old FIR. Nayagarh police verified 56 accounts and arrested three accused. Balangir verified 26 accounts, while Bhadrak checked 113 accounts as part of the drive.

Further updates reveal that Mayurbhanj district police verified 75 accounts and issued eight legal notices. Cuttack (UPD) verified 68 accounts and issued 14 notices. Berhampur verified 32 accounts, Deogarh checked 60 accounts, and Boudh verified 57 accounts, issuing notices to all 57 concerned individuals. Kandhamal verified 26 accounts and issued 31 notices related to two old FIRs. Kalahandi verified 46 accounts and issued 11 notices. Koraput, Nabarangpur, and Nuapada districts verified two, six, and six accounts respectively.

DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania emphasised that the Odisha Police remain fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of digital transactions for citizens. He stated that the campaign will be further intensified in the coming days to make Odisha free from cybercrime.

With Operation Cyber Kavach, the state police have sent a strong message to cybercriminals that fraudulent activities and misuse of anonymous bank accounts will not be tolerated. The coordinated effort across multiple districts reflects a determined push to safeguard citizens from financial fraud and strengthen cybersecurity across Odisha.