Tracking Down Scam email Details using Source of email, from Outlook

[WWGD]

TL;DR

Trying to track down details from a scammer/spanner. I have the IP addresses of some of the servers in the path, including the source, destination

Hi,
Trying to track down a spammer, using the source that Outlook provides for all emails received. The message seems to have gone through several servers, and have failed several security/legitimacy tests, such as SPF. I have the IP addresses, server names of the source (77.178...) and destination addresses; including the domain owner, narrowing down the source to central Europe. Can this tracking be done by using the email message ID, which is a unique identifier , i.e., no two emails are assigned the same email ID. I guess contacting the complaints department of the domain owner?
Message-ID is alpha ( a through z)-numeric( decimal), with 38 spaces; I guess this provides $36^{38}$ choices, though I guess length can be increased, enough for the I guess, several billion sent yearly.

 

[jedishrfu]

I think it's a fool's errand. Some of these sites cater to scammers and will resist giving up the spammer's identification or email.

There was a story about a woman who was incensed by an explicit, offensive spam email she received. She complained to a news media outlet, and they decided to conduct an investigation, eventually locating the spammer.

However, the investigation had its challenges. The originating site, a seemingly innocent industrial server farm, initially denied involvement until conclusive proof was provided, at which point they released the spammer's ID information.

She met with the spammer and told him how mortified she was to receive this piece of spam. She asked, "What would you do if your daughter got this email?" He said he had a family of small kids and would stop doing it.

I remember seeing or reading this story but can't find any citation.

 

[WWGD]

Well, maybe. Bit I've received at least 5-6 similar ones since Last August alone.

 

[jack action]

That is why we have spam folders.

When I receive spam by regular mail, I just put it in the bin; I don't try to contact the sender. It is even easier with emails and automatic filters.

 

[WWGD]

That is why we have spam folders.

When I receive spam by regular mail, I just put it in the bin; I don't try to contact the sender. It is even easier with emails and automatic filters.

Valid point, but these are scammers , threatening to blackmail me, and this is around the 7th such mail in a year. Edit: This time too, they're spoofing my email address, which can cause me trouble. And I get to do something different and practice my cybersecurity skills.

 

[Vanadium 50]

"Message ID" is not a required part of SMTP so anyone can put whatever they want there. It will be useless in identification.