By Our Correspondent
CUTTACK:The Central Range Police, Cuttack, under the able leadership of IGP Dr Satyajit Naik has been conducting an intensive and focused special drive titled “Cyber–KAVACH” from 13th February 2026 to 24th February 2026 to curb cyber financial fraud, dismantle mule bank account networks, prevent fraudulent SIM issuance, and check illegal ATM/Cheque withdrawals across all districts under Central Range.
The drive covers the districts of Puri, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Khordha, and Nayagarh, with coordinated action involving verification, legal proceedings, arrests, financial tracking, and preventive enforcement.
Central Range Police’s CyberKAVACH operation cracks down on cyber fraud! 2763+ mule accounts verified, 204+ cases registered, 52+ arrested.
⸻
Action Against Mule Bank Accounts (Year 2025 Data):-
Extensive verification of suspected mule bank accounts has been undertaken across districts:
•Puri:
•213 accounts verified
•46 cases registered
•01 notice served
•07 accused arrested
•Accounts found operated in multiple states including Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Karnataka
•Several accounts under enquiry
•Cuttack:
•528 accounts verified
•62 cases registered
•21 accused arrested
•26 accounts found non-suspicious
•25 cognizable cases registered
•Kendrapara:
•504 accounts verified
•42 cases registered
•247 notices served
•349 transactions involving account-to-account transfers detected
•All 504 accounts under investigation
•Jagatsinghpur:
•260 accounts verified
•09 cases registered
•15 accused arrested
•Instances of self-opened accounts and victim-linked accounts detected
•Jajpur:
•750 accounts verified
•16 cases registered
•169 notices served
•121 accounts frozen
•45 accounts verified and cleared
•Khordha:
•424 accounts verified
•28 cases registered
•97 notices served
•64 under verification and 146 under investigation
•Nayagarh:
•84 accounts verified
•01 case registered
•39 notices served
•06 accused arrested
•30 instances of commission-based facilitation for account opening detected
⸻
Action Against Fraudulent SIM Issuance (PoS Verification):-
Verification of PoS outlets suspected of issuing SIM cards in bulk by fraudulent means has been carried out:
•Multiple PoS outlets in Khordha, Jajpur, and Nayagarh are under verification.
•In Cuttack, Maniabandha PS Case No. 23/2026 registered.
•Investigations are ongoing to detect SIM misuse in cyber fraud cases.
⸻
ATM Withdrawals Linked to Fraud:-
•Khordha:
•38 ATM withdrawals verified
•04 cases registered
•06 accused arrested
•Recovery of ₹3,52,977
•Nayagarh:
•07 ATM withdrawals verified
•05 cases registered
•03 accused arrested
•07 cases under enquiry
⸻
Cheque Withdrawals Linked to Fraud:-
•Puri:
•10 accounts verified
•05 cases registered
•04 accused arrested
•Seizure of ATM cards and cheque books
•Khordha:
•12 accounts verified
•02 cases registered
•01 accused arrested
•Recovery of ₹13,94,124/-
•Nayagarh:
•20 accounts verified
•03 cases registered
•02 accused arrested
•20 under enquiry
⸻
Key Highlights of the Drive
•Large-scale verification of mule accounts across districts
•Freezing of suspicious accounts and prevention of further fraudulent transactions
•Arrest of key facilitators and account holders
•Inter-state linkages of fraud networks detected
•Financial recoveries made in ATM and cheque withdrawal cases
•Action initiated against SIM vendors enabling cyber fraud
⸻
Public Advisory
The Central Range Police appeals to citizens:
•Do not share bank account details, OTPs, ATM PINs, or personal identification information.
•Avoid allowing unknown persons to operate or use your bank account.
•Do not open bank accounts for commission or monetary benefits.
•Report cyber fraud immediately at 1930 or through the Cyber Crime Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in).
The “Cyber–KAVACH” drive will continue with sustained enforcement, intelligence-based operations, and public awareness initiatives to protect citizens from cybercrime and financial fraud.
Odisha Police remains committed to safeguarding public money and dismantling cyber fraud networks at every level.
