BHUBANESWAR: A concerning wave of digital fraud has swept through Odisha, resulting in massive financial losses for its citizens. On Monday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi addressed the state assembly and revealed the scale of the issue. He stated that in just the last 16 months, cybercriminals have stolen more than Rs 222 crore from residents across the state. 
The report also highlighted a specific and alarming trend known as "digital arrest." This sophisticated scam involves criminals posing as law enforcement officers online to intimidate victims. In this short period, 69 people in Odisha were targeted by this specific method.
Despite these arrests, recovering stolen money remains a difficult task. Authorities managed to return approximately Rs 61 lakh directly to the victims. Additionally, the police successfully froze over Rs 6.74 crore in accounts belonging to the fraudsters, preventing them from accessing these funds.
Technological hurdles also slow down investigations. Criminals frequently use pre-activated SIM cards and digital currencies, which makes tracking their physical location very difficult. Additionally, investigators noted a need for better and faster coordination between police forces and banking institutions to block transfers effectively.
Police emphasized that the "Golden Hour"—the time immediately after the fraud occurs—is vital. They urged all citizens to act immediately if they suspect they have been scammed.
The Scale of the Fraud
The Chief Minister provided these details while answering a question from Congress MLA Rama Chandra Kadam. The official data paints a worrying picture of online safety. Between the reported dates, 3,486 individuals fell victim to various types of online scams. The exact amount lost by these victims stands at Rs 2,220,978,647.The report also highlighted a specific and alarming trend known as "digital arrest." This sophisticated scam involves criminals posing as law enforcement officers online to intimidate victims. In this short period, 69 people in Odisha were targeted by this specific method.
Police Action and Recovery Efforts
Law enforcement agencies are actively fighting back against these networks. The Chief Minister noted that police have arrested 727 individuals suspected of involvement in these cyber crimes. Furthermore, officials have filed formal chargesheets in 104 of these cases.Despite these arrests, recovering stolen money remains a difficult task. Authorities managed to return approximately Rs 61 lakh directly to the victims. Additionally, the police successfully froze over Rs 6.74 crore in accounts belonging to the fraudsters, preventing them from accessing these funds.
Challenges in Investigation
Police officials explained why recovery rates are often low. The primary challenge is the speed at which criminals operate. Fraudsters move stolen funds rapidly across multiple bank accounts. They often use "mule accounts"—bank accounts belonging to other people—to hide the money trail.Technological hurdles also slow down investigations. Criminals frequently use pre-activated SIM cards and digital currencies, which makes tracking their physical location very difficult. Additionally, investigators noted a need for better and faster coordination between police forces and banking institutions to block transfers effectively.
The Importance of Immediate Reporting
The most significant factor in recovering money is time. Authorities pointed out that many victims delay reporting the crime. Some hesitate due to embarrassment, while others simply do not know where to turn.Police emphasized that the "Golden Hour"—the time immediately after the fraud occurs—is vital. They urged all citizens to act immediately if they suspect they have been scammed.
What to do if you are targeted:
- Call 1930: This is the national helpline number for reporting cyber fraud.
- Visit the Portal: You can file a complaint online at www.cybercrime.gov.in.
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