Bhubaneswar, 09 March (H.S.): In a major crackdown on cybercrime, the Odisha Police have launched a state-wide special operation titled ‘Operation Cyber Kavach’ to track and investigate dummy or benami bank accounts used in online frauds. The operation is being conducted under the direct supervision of Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, with district SPs and DCPs overseeing the work of district cybercrime units.

The initiative aims to identify fraudulent accounts and their accomplices to curb cybercrime across the state. So far, a total of 32,932 dummy accounts have been investigated, resulting in the registration of 1,096 cybercrime cases, including 34 related to ATM withdrawals, 36 concerning fraudulent cheque withdrawals, and 23 involving fake SIM cards or PoS frauds. During the operation, 331 individuals have been arrested, and 6,723 suspicious account holders or accomplices linked to 185 old FIRs have been issued legal notices.

District police forces across the state have actively participated, with Puri district investigating 1 dummy account leading to 1 arrest; Sundargarh examining 19 accounts and issuing 1 legal notice; Jharsuguda registering 1 case and issuing 2 notices; Rourkela checking 13 accounts, registering 1 cheque fraud case, and issuing 1 notice; Cuttack examining 8 accounts; Nayagarh probing 238 accounts and issuing 14 notices; Subarnapur 42 accounts; Baleshwar 41 accounts; Bhadrak 66 accounts; Mayurbhanj 11 accounts with 11 notices issued; Bhubaneswar (UPD) 23 accounts; Cuttack (UPD) 2 accounts; Brahmapur 8 accounts with 28 notices issued in connection with an old FIR; Boudh and Kandhamal 3 accounts each with 3 notices per account; Kalahandi 89 accounts with 18 notices; Koraput 77 accounts; Malkangiri 3 accounts; and Nuapada 66 accounts checked.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda