The ongoing “Cyber Kavach” special operation launched to curb cyber-enabled financial fraud has gained momentum in Odisha’s Central Range, with police verifying 2,279 suspicious bank accounts across seven districts. The drive is aimed at dismantling organised cybercrime networks operating through mule accounts and financial intermediaries.
Multi-District Crackdown Targets Mule Networks
The special enforcement campaign focuses on detecting accounts used for laundering money obtained through digital arrest scams, online investment frauds and other cybercrimes. Authorities said 16 people have been arrested so far in connection with the operation, while further investigations are continuing across multiple districts.
The crackdown covers Cuttack (Rural), Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Khordha and Nayagarh districts, where large-scale verification of banking records has been carried out. Police teams are examining suspicious financial patterns, third-party account openings and abnormal transaction trails linked to cyber fraud complaints registered in recent months.
FCRF Launches Flagship Certified Fraud Investigator (CFI) Program
District-Wise Arrests and Verifications
Officials said that cybercriminal syndicates often recruit individuals to operate mule accounts by promising easy commission-based earnings. These accounts are then used for rapid fund transfers through UPI platforms, ATM withdrawals, cryptocurrency exchanges and international remittance channels, making it difficult for investigators to trace the original source of money.
District-wise data from the operation shows that Khordha recorded six arrests, making it the highest among the region. Cuttack (Rural) police verified 403 accounts and issued 48 legal notices while registering 14 new cases. Jagatsinghpur authorities examined 198 accounts and initiated nine new investigations.
595 Legal Notices Issued
In Jajpur district, 580 accounts were verified, along with 15 fresh cases and 169 legal notices served to suspected account holders. Kendrapara district saw 468 accounts come under scrutiny, accompanied by 29 new complaints and 238 legal notices issued during the enforcement drive.
Khordha district reported 333 verified accounts with 21 new cases and 60 legal notices. In Nayagarh, 59 accounts were checked, resulting in two new cases and linkage of one older FIR. Puri district police verified 238 accounts, registered 41 new cases and made 10 arrests during the campaign.
Public Safety Warnings Issued
Overall, the Central Range operation has resulted in the verification of 2,279 bank accounts, registration of 131 new cybercrime cases and linkage of six earlier FIRs. Authorities have also issued 595 legal notices to individuals suspected of facilitating or operating suspicious financial accounts.
Police officials emphasised that the primary objective of the drive is to identify mule accounts, trace cyber fraud money trails and arrest facilitators who help criminal networks operate across district boundaries. Financial intelligence coordination between cyber cells and banking institutions has been strengthened to track suspicious transactions.
As part of public safety awareness, authorities have advised citizens not to share OTPs, banking passwords or personal financial information with unknown callers or through unsolicited messages. People have also been warned against renting or lending their bank accounts to others, which can lead to criminal liability.
The police have further urged victims of cyber fraud to immediately report incidents through the national cybercrime helpline number 1930 to increase the chances of recovering lost funds during the critical early response period.
Officials confirmed that the “Cyber Kavach” operation will continue with intensified monitoring of digital financial networks. Investigators are also examining possible links between local facilitators and larger organised cybercrime syndicates operating outside the state.
Law enforcement agencies believe sustained enforcement, financial intelligence tracking and public awareness are essential to counter the rapidly evolving cyber fraud ecosystem. Further arrests and seizure actions are expected as the investigation progresses.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
