In cyber crime investigations, IP addresses are often the first and most important lead. Whether it is online fraud, hacking, blackmail, or fake profiles, investigators always start with one question:

“From where was this activity done?”

This is where IP tracking and geolocation tools become extremely important.

What Is an IP Address?

An IP address is a unique number given to every device connected to the internet.

It helps to:

• Identify a device
• Track online activity routes
• Locate the country, city, and internet provider

Without IP addresses, the internet cannot work — and cyber criminals cannot hide completely.

Why IP Tracking Is Crucial in Cyber Crime Cases

IP tracking helps investigators:

• Trace fraud emails and messages
• Identify hacking sources
• Track fake social media accounts
• Locate scam call centers
• Connect multiple crimes to the same network

Even when criminals use VPNs, IP analysis still provides valuable clues.

How IP Geolocation Works (Simply Explained)

IP geolocation uses:

• Internet service provider (ISP) records
• Network routing data
• Location databases

It does NOT give an exact house location, but it can reveal:

• Country
• City
• Internet provider
• Approximate area

This is often enough to move an investigation forward.

1. IPinfo

IPinfo is one of the most trusted IP intelligence platforms.

What It Provides

• Country, region, and city
• ISP and organization name
• VPN and proxy detection
• Hosting provider identification

Why Investigators Use It

It helps identify whether an IP belongs to:

• A normal user
• A data center
• A VPN service

Very useful in cyber fraud cases.

2. MaxMind GeoIP

MaxMind is widely used by law enforcement and cybersecurity companies.

Key Features

• Accurate IP location database
• ISP and network details
• Fraud risk scoring

Investigation Use

MaxMind helps verify whether a login location is genuine or suspicious.

3. IP2Location

IP2Location is popular for its detailed location reports.

What It Shows

• City-level location
• ISP details
• Proxy and VPN detection
• Mobile network identification

It is helpful in tracking online scam operations.

4. Whois Lookup Tools

Whois tools provide ownership details of IP addresses.

What Investigators Learn

• Which organization owns the IP
• Hosting company information
• Network range details

This helps identify whether the IP belongs to:

• A hosting server
• A corporate network
• A home connection

5. AbuseIPDB

AbuseIPDB is a reputation-based IP database.

Why It Is Important

It shows whether an IP has been reported for:

• Hacking
• Fraud
• Spamming
• Malware activity

This helps confirm if an IP is part of criminal infrastructure.

6. Shodan

Shodan is a search engine for internet-connected devices.

How It Helps Investigations

• Finds exposed servers
• Identifies vulnerable systems
• Tracks suspicious infrastructure

Used in cyber crime intelligence gathering.

7. VirusTotal (IP Intelligence)

VirusTotal is not just for files.

What It Shows for IPs

• Malware connections
• Suspicious domains linked to IP
• Past malicious activity

This helps link IP addresses to larger crime networks.

How Police Use IP Tracking in Real Investigations

Step 1: Collect the IP Address

IP addresses are collected from:

• Email headers
• Website logs
• Social media platforms
• Bank transaction logs

Step 2: Analyze the IP

Investigators use IP tools to identify:

• Location
• ISP
• VPN usage
• Hosting providers

Step 3: Request ISP Details

Police legally request subscriber information from ISPs.

This includes:

• User name
• Connection time
• Registered address

This step connects the IP to a real person.

Real Case Example: Online Investment Scam

What Happened

Victims lost money through a fake trading website.

IP Tracking Helped By

• Tracing login IP addresses
• Identifying hosting servers
• Linking multiple scam sites to one network

Result

Police uncovered a large fraud operation.

Limitations of IP Tracking

IP tracking is powerful but not perfect.

Challenges include:

• VPN and proxy usage
• Shared public networks
• Mobile network changes

Still, even hidden criminals leave traces.

IP Tracking in Cyber Fraud & Money Recovery Cases

In fraud cases, IP analysis helps:

• Track scammer login locations
• Identify fake websites
• Link payment systems to criminals

This information supports account freezing and arrests.

Legal Use of IP Tracking

IP tracking must be used:

• Legally
• With proper authorization
• For investigation purposes only

Misuse of IP tracking is illegal.

Final Thoughts

Cyber criminals believe they are invisible behind screens. But every online action leaves a trail.

IP tracking and geolocation tools act like digital footprints in the virtual world. They may not show the full face of the criminal, but they point investigators in the right direction.

In cyber investigations, an IP address is often the first thread that unravels the entire crime network.