Odisha adds teeth to cyber cells after frauds cross Rs 222 crore; ‘low-recovery rate’ major concern, says ex-DGP

Cyber fraudsters have siphoned more than Rs 222 crore in Odisha over the past 16 months, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the Legislative Assembly in a written reply on Monday. According to the figures placed before the House, the total amount lost to online fraud during this period stands at Rs 222,09,78,647.

Taking to his X handle, former Odisha DGP Bijay Kumar Sharma stated that state police recovered only about Rs 7 crore, amounting to roughly 3 percent.

His claims of a ‘low recovery rate’ came after data reported in the assembly stated that around Rs 61.36 lakh has been refunded to victims, and bank accounts worth Rs 6,74,09,434 have been frozen as part of ongoing investigations.

-Cyber criminals looted 222 cr in 16 mnts ending Nov 2024 in Odisha

-Police recovered Rs 7 cr which is 3%

-Delayed reporting partly explains low recovery, quality of investigation also needs improvement

-Victims want money back or else they would lose confidence on the system

— Bijay Kumar Sharma (@BijayKumarShar7) December 9, 2025

Sharma stressed that it is important to ensure that victims get their money back. “Victims want money back or else they would lose confidence on the system,” he wrote on X. He also attributed the low recovery partly to delayed reporting by victims and also to the need for improvement in the quality of investigations.

New Forensic Laboratories, Experts And Infrastructure

Meanwhile, the Odisha Police has decided to establish cyber forensic laboratories across all 34 cybercrime police stations in the state.

According to The Times of India reports, the proposed facilities will be equipped with tools to analyse electronic evidence, recover deleted data, and trace digital footprints. A central cyber forensic laboratory will be created at the cyber complex of CID-CB in Bhubaneswar.

The new facility is expected to be fitted with high-end forensic tools and servers, while station-level laboratories will have essential hardware and software for day-to-day investigation. 

To support the initiative, the government has sanctioned the engagement of 170 cyber experts specialising in forensics, digital investigations, cyber financial analysis and information technology. They will be deployed across the 34 cyber police stations, the reports added.

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The reply in the state assembly also noted that 727 accused have been arrested and charge sheets have been filed against 104 individuals linked with cyber fraud.