Russia’s Interior Ministry Reveals How Cybercriminals Are Tracked Through Digital Footprints
The myth of online anonymity is fading fast. Law enforcement agencies in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region have shown how every digital action leaves a unique trace that can expose cybercriminals.
Experts from the Main Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs for St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region have explained how investigators identify online fraudsters. The key lies in the so-called 'digital fingerprint' — a set of data generated by every user action on the internet.
One of the main tools in tracing suspects is the IP address. Even when cybercriminals use VPNs or proxy servers, investigators can often determine an approximate location with the help of internet service providers, who supply the necessary technical details.
Another critical area of analysis involves SIM cards. Fraudsters frequently rely on 'droppers' — intermediaries who register phone numbers and bank cards on their behalf. However, by examining billing data, tracking the subscriber’s movements through cell towers, and analyzing contact networks, investigators can uncover the real individuals behind the schemes.
Messenger communications are also a rich source of evidence. Even deleted messages can often be restored using specialized software. Metadata — information about devices, timestamps, and chat participants — can serve as crucial clues on their own. By piecing together these digital fragments, investigators reconstruct a comprehensive picture of the criminal network’s structure and operations. According to officials, these technological methods are vital for strengthening cybersecurity, as law enforcement capabilities in digital forensics continue to expand.
