The Odisha Police has intensified its statewide crackdown on cybercrime under the special drive titled ‘Operation Cyber Kavach’, leading to the verification of 22,455 mule (benami) bank accounts and the arrest of 281 accused persons so far.
Launched to curb rising cyber fraud and strengthen digital transaction safety, the operation is being conducted under the direction of Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania. District Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) are directly supervising district cybercrime units to identify and take strict legal action against those involved in fraudulent financial networks.
Key Highlights of Operation Cyber Kavach:
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22,455 mule bank accounts verified across Odisha
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760 cybercrime cases registered related to mule bank accounts
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31 cases linked to ATM withdrawals
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26 cases related to cheque withdrawals
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16 cases involving fake SIM cards/PoS verification
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281 accused arrested
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5,092 suspected account holders and associates issued legal notices, linked to new cases and 147 previous FIRs
District-Wise Action
Police units across multiple districts have taken significant enforcement measures:
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Rourkela: 60 mule accounts verified; 37 cases registered; 37 notices issued
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Balasore: 114 accounts verified; 2 cases registered; 6 notices issued
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Dhenkanal: 125 accounts verified; 5 cases registered
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Ganjam: 64 accounts verified; 4 cases registered; 4 arrests made; 7 notices issued
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Nayagarh: 56 accounts verified; 3 arrests made
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Mayurbhanj: 75 accounts verified; 8 notices issued
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Boudh: 57 accounts verified; 57 notices issued
Several other districts including Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Puri, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Kendujhar, Sundargarh, Gajapati, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Subarnapur, Bolangir, Bhadrak, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Nuapada also reported verification drives, fresh case registrations, arrests, and issuance of legal notices.
Strengthening Digital Security
The Odisha Police reiterated its commitment to protecting residents from cyber fraud and ensuring the safety of digital transactions across the state. Authorities confirmed that ‘Operation Cyber Kavach’ will be further intensified in the coming months to build a cybercrime-free Odisha.
DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania emphasised that strong enforcement, public awareness, and coordinated investigation are essential to dismantle organised cyber fraud networks operating through mule accounts.
The initiative reflects Odisha’s proactive approach toward safeguarding citizens, businesses, and financial institutions from evolving cyber threats.
