Cyber Fraudsters Swindle Over ₹711 Crore in Odisha in Two Years; Police Launch ‘Operation Cyber Kavach’

Cyber fraud cases in Odisha have witnessed a sharp rise, with fraudsters cheating people of more than ₹711 crore in the last two years, according to data presented in the State Assembly. The alarming figures have raised serious concerns about the growing threat of cybercrime and the need for stronger digital security measures.

Massive Financial Loss in Cyber Fraud Cases

As per the data, in 2024, a total of 27,368 cybercrime cases were registered across the state. In these incidents, fraudsters duped people of about ₹279.71 crore. However, only ₹2.47 crore of the stolen amount could be recovered by authorities.

The situation worsened in 2025, when 49,426 cyber fraud cases were registered. Cyber criminals managed to steal nearly ₹432.28 crore, while only ₹5.31 crore could be recovered.

Growing Concern Over Low Recovery Rate

The data highlights the significant gap between the amount lost and the money recovered in cyber fraud cases. Despite the rising number of complaints, only a small fraction of the defrauded amount has been returned to victims, causing concern among citizens and law enforcement agencies.

Odisha Police Launch ‘Operation Cyber Kavach’

To combat the rising menace of cybercrime, the Odisha Police have launched a special drive titled “Operation Cyber Kavach.” The operation aims to dismantle cybercrime networks operating across the state.

Under this campaign, police are targeting ‘Mule Accounts’ — anonymous or benami bank accounts used by cyber criminals to transfer and hide illegally obtained money.

Action Against Mule Accounts and Accused

During the operation, police have so far verified 304 mule bank accounts across the state. Authorities have also registered 17 new cybercrime cases and arrested 20 accused persons involved in the illegal activities.

In addition, legal notices have been issued to four individuals suspected of assisting cyber criminals or operating suspicious bank accounts.

District-Wise Crackdown

The crackdown has been carried out in several districts of Odisha:

• Keonjhar Police verified 203 mule accounts, registered 6 cases, and arrested 7 accused persons.

• Sambalpur Police checked 63 mule accounts, registered 8 cases, and arrested 13 accused persons.

• Boudh Police examined 4 mule accounts, registered 2 new cases, and issued legal notices to four individuals.

• Puri Police verified 7 mule accounts during the operation.

• Nabarangpur Police registered one new cybercrime case after verifying suspicious accounts.

The operation is being conducted under the direct supervision of district Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), with dedicated cyber teams involved in the investigation.

Targeting the Financial Backbone of Cybercrime

Police officials stated that the primary objective of Operation Cyber Kavach is to destroy the financial infrastructure that supports cyber criminals.

By identifying and shutting down mule accounts, the police aim to disrupt illegal money transfers and weaken cybercrime networks operating in the state.

Commitment to Digital Safety

Odisha Police have reiterated their commitment to ensuring digital security for citizens and urged people to remain cautious while using online platforms and digital payment systems.

With cyber fraud continuing to rise, authorities are emphasizing the importance of awareness, quick reporting of suspicious transactions, and stronger cyber policing to protect citizens from online financial crimes.