Bhubaneswar, February 26: A major crackdown on cyber financial fraud under the “Cyber-KAVACH” operation has led to the verification of 3,855 mule bank accounts, registration of over 232 cases, and the arrest of 52 persons across Odisha’s Central Range, informedIGP Dr. Satyajit Naik.
Addressing the media, Dr. Naik said the intensive 13-day special drive was conducted from February 3 to February 25, 2026, to counter the growing threat of cyber financial fraud across seven districts — Cuttack, Puri, Khordha, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, and Nayagarh.
During the operation, police teams carried out large-scale verification of suspicious bank accounts, intelligence-based raids, freezing of fraudulent accounts, and coordinated action with banks and telecom service providers. In total, 3,855 mule bank accounts were verified, over 232 cases registered, and 52 accused arrested.
District-wise action highlights:
The operation focused on dismantling mule bank accounts used to launder cybercrime proceeds, fraudulent SIM card issuance by rogue Point of Sale (PoS) agents, suspicious bulk ATM withdrawals, and illegal cheque-based transactions.
Police also uncovered clear interstate linkages, with mule accounts connected to cybercrime networks operating from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, New Delhi, and Karnataka.
Action against fraudulent SIM issuance:
ATM and cheque withdrawal monitoring:
IGP Dr. Naikstated that the Cyber-KAVACH operation has significantly disrupted cyber fraud networks in the Central Range and reaffirmed the police’s commitment to strengthening surveillance, coordination with financial institutions, and preventive enforcement to curb cybercrime.
