Odisha Cybercrime Crackdown: 24,000 Suspicious Bank Accounts Probed, 289 Arrests Made

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Odisha’s Large-Scale Cybercrime Crackdown

A large-scale cybercrime crackdown in Odisha has resulted in the scrutiny of over 24,000 suspicious bank accounts and the arrest of 289 individuals.

Operation Cyber Kavach

The operation, dubbed “Operation Cyber Kavach,” aims to combat digital financial fraud and dismantle online criminal networks across the state.

Verification Drives

As part of the campaign, district-level cybercrime units have been conducting verification drives to identify and disable mule bank accounts used by cybercriminals to transfer fraudulent funds.

The operation is being overseen by senior police officers, including district Superintendents of Police and Deputy Commissioners of Police.

Objective and Results

According to authorities, the primary objective of the drive is to strengthen control over online financial crimes in Odisha.

To date, police have detected 827 cyber fraud-related cases, including:

32 instances of illegal ATM cash withdrawals
27 cases of cheque fraud
18 cases involving the misuse of fake SIM cards and POS machines

Arrests and Notices

The verification drives have been conducted in all districts, with varying results.

In some regions, such as Rourkela, Deogarh, and Subarnapur, a significant number of suspicious accounts have been identified and verified.

In other areas, such as Cuttack, Kandhamal, and Berhampur, extensive verification exercises have been carried out, resulting in the issuance of legal notices to suspected individuals.

In addition to the verification drives, police have also arrested individuals in connection with older FIR cases.

For example, in Malkangiri, two persons were arrested, and six notices were issued.

In Kalahandi, 11 accounts were checked, leading to the arrest of two accused persons.

The Director General of Police has reaffirmed the department’s commitment to protecting citizens’ digital transactions, stating that efforts to dismantle cybercrime networks will be intensified in the coming days.

Combating Cybercrime

Authorities believe that a combination of technical investigation, public awareness campaigns, and swift legal action is necessary to make Odisha cybercrime-free.

The crackdown is part of a broader effort to combat cybercrime in the state, which has seen a significant increase in online financial fraud in recent years.

The operation is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with authorities working to identify and prosecute those involved in cybercrime activities.