Operation 'Cyber Kavach': 1,346 mule a/cs with Rs 145 cr transactions in Odisha's four districts

BHUBANESWAR/SAMBALPUR: Police in Odisha's northern range on Thursday detected 1,346 mule accounts that recorded transactions worth an astounding Rs 145 crore over the past few months. The accounts, traced to Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda and Balangir districts, were used to route, layer and withdraw illegal funds linked to cyber scams. The crackdown was part of operation 'Cyber Kavach', recently launched across Odisha to dismantle mule accounts that have become a key instrument in frauds ranging from digital arrest scams to online trading rackets. IGP (northern range) Himansu Lal said 140 mule accounts with transactions of Rs 110 crore were detected in Sambalpur, 1,062 accounts with Rs 29 crore in Bargarh and 140 accounts with Rs 5.27 crore in Jharsuguda. Accused failed to explain transactions Sambalpur SP Mukesh Bhamoo informed that 20 people were arrested for facilitating the creation of mule accounts on behalf of cyber criminals. "We have detained a total of 52 account holders and served notices on 32 others for further verification. Transactions through these 52 accounts alone would be around Rs 75.36 crore," Bhamoo said. Bargarh SP Prahalad Meena and Jharsuguda SP Gundala Reddy Raghavendra confirmed the arrest of five and 15 suspects, respectively, in their districts. Police said the accused failed to provide satisfactory explanations for suspicious high-value transactions, and many accounts appeared to have been opened and operated knowingly or negligently for commission-based illegal financial activities.