Ganjam police intensified their crackdown on cyber fraud through Operation Cyber Kavach, and they arrested two youths in Asika.
Acting under the instructions of Superintendent of Police Shubhendu Kumar Patra, officers across the district launched coordinated action against suspects linked to money mule accounts and fraudulent transactions.
Asika police arrested Subrat Khilar (29) of Kajalaipalli village under Saranakul police station in Nayagarh district and Sudarshan Patra (27) of Patanasahi under Odagaon police station. Investigators seized seven passbooks from different banks, nine ATM cards, and a fingerprint scanner machine from the accused.
Police registered Case No. 74/26 at Asika police station and produced the accused in court. IIC Sudhir Kumar Sahu confirmed that the arrests form part of a wider probe into money mule account fraud, which has spread across multiple districts.
Furthermore, preliminary findings revealed that the fraud network involved agents luring customers to open accounts with promises of Rs 10,000 per account and 10% commission on transactions. These accounts then facilitated the siphoning of crores of rupees. The mastermind remains absconding, while police continue to track brokers and accomplices across Asika, Hinjilikatu, and Berhampur.
Additionally, investigators discovered that fraudsters exploited accounts and customer service centres linked to several banks, including State Bank of India, Bank of India, Union Bank, UCO Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Karnataka Bank, Canara Bank, and Punjab National Bank. A special police team has been formed to expand the investigation and arrest more suspects.
