In a proactive crackdown on cyber fraud in Odisha’s Sambalpur district, police successfully returned Rs 45 lakh to four victims, part of a broader effort to curb online scams and increase cyber awareness.
Four people in Odisha’s Sambalpur district have had a total of rupees 45 lakh returned after losing money in separate online fraud cases, police said on Sunday. The repayments were handed over at a special programme at the district police headquarters, where Superintendent of Police Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo issued cheques to the victims. According to police, the recoveries came as part of a wider push against cybercrime in the region.
Shyam Dora received rupees 12 lakh, while Manas Kumar Mukhopadhyay was given rupees 12.5 lakh after reportedly losing about rupees 26 lakh. Ramesh Chandra Biswal, who is said to have lost around rupees 85 lakh, received rupees 16 lakh. Ajay Minz was handed rupees 4.5 lakh against an alleged loss of rupees 26 lakh. Police said another rupees 12 lakh linked to Minz has been frozen in a bank account and is expected to be recovered later.
The recoveries come after Odisha police in February uncovered cyber fraud transactions worth more than rupees 133 crore across Sambalpur, Bargarh and Rourkela. The Sambalpur cyber police station alone verified 140 accounts involving transactions of rupees 110.30 crore, while 20 people were arrested and 32 others were issued notices during an operation called Cyber Suraksha Kavach. In July, police also launched an e-Zero FIR system to speed up the registration of cyber fraud complaints by linking the national helpline 1930 with the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems.
Bhamoo said the force is treating cyber awareness and investigation as a priority. Police said they have been able to block fraudulent transfers and return money through court procedures. He urged people not to click on unfamiliar links, share passwords or one-time passwords, or trust quick-profit investment schemes. Victims of cyber fraud, he said, should call the national helpline 1930 immediately or visit the nearest police station.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
