In a major push to combat cyber crimes, the Odisha Police has intensified its special drive, ‘Operation Cyber Kavach’, leading to the scrutiny of 34,101 mule (benami) bank accounts and the arrest of 336 accused individuals across the state.
Launched under the directives of Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, the operation is being overseen directly by district Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs). District Cyber Crime Units are actively identifying mule accounts used in cyber frauds and taking stringent legal action against those involved.
So far, the operation has resulted in the registration of 1,111 cyber cases linked to mule banks, 34 cases involving ATM withdrawals, 36 cases related to cheque withdrawals, and 23 cases concerning fake SIM cards or Point of Sale (PoS) devices. Additionally, notices have been issued to 6,893 suspected account holders or facilitators connected to 186 old First Information Reports (FIRs).
District-wise highlights include:
– Balangir Police checked 249 benami accounts, registered 2 cases, and issued notices to 27 individuals.
– Keonjhar Police scrutinized 6 accounts, filed 6 cases, arrested 2 people, and notified 4 others.
– Rourkela Police examined 25 accounts, lodged 7 cases, and issued notices to 4 persons.
– Cuttack Police checked 9 benami accounts.
– Nayagarh Police verified 273 accounts and notified 30 individuals.
– Subarnapur Police scrutinized 60 accounts.
– Bhadrak Police examined 52 accounts.
– Mayurbhanj Police checked 3 accounts and issued notices to 3 people.
– Bhubaneswar Urban Police District (UPD) verified 177 accounts and notified 8 individuals.
– Cuttack UPD checked 10 accounts.
– Berhampur Police issued notices to 8 people linked to 1 old FIR.
– Boudh Police examined 10 accounts and notified 10 individuals.
– Gajapati Police checked 19 accounts.
– Ganjam Police scrutinized 68 accounts.
– Kandhamal Police verified 1 account and issued a notice to 1 person.
– Dhenkanal Police examined 12 accounts.
– Kalahandi Police checked 63 accounts, arrested 1 person, and notified 14 others.
– Koraput Police scrutinized 5 accounts.
– Malkangiri Police examined 3 accounts.
– Nuapada Police verified 16 benami accounts.
– Rayagada Police checked 108 accounts, arrested 2 individuals, and issued notices to 61 others.
The Odisha Police remains committed to safeguarding residents’ digital transactions. DGP Khurania has assured that the operation will be further strengthened in the coming days to build a cybercrime-free Odisha.
