How to search who own an address ?

[DoomDumas]

Hi all, I'm intersted in learnig trics/tools/tips about finding who own a BTC address..

for example, I've found this :

http://blockchain.info/fr/taint/1PYnzpbTv3itZBJV2zcAbPgzZiwvRFRTf9

On the first line, an IP address is linked to 18nxWEvkNjqXdNBHYrXsQ8McHm689xsMyn (I'd wish to know who own it ... xsMyn)

This IP address is the IP from wich a transaction originated for that btc address ?

[Blazr]

This IP address is the IP from wich a transaction originated for that btc address ?

Nope. That IP is the IP of the first machine to relay that transaction to blockchain.info. It could be the person who sent the transaction, but its much more likely that it isn't.

[DoomDumas]

thanks for quick reply, so this info is kinda useless..

If Bitcoin are not so anonymous, how can someone trace me or me trace someone via a btc wallet address ?

- when I use a btc service without hiding my ip // hosting a btc service and logging ip/wallet pairs

- when knowing email and wallet of somemone

- writing btc address on public space on internet / searching for btc address in writings on the net ?

- other/better ways ?

[Chloride]

Generally, people get tracked by following a chain of transactions until someone identifiable shows up, then working backwards from there.

People get identified through businesses, forum accounts, mining pool records, etc.

[opentoe]

You control on what you want to do. Transfer your coins to multiple addresses as many times as you wish. Use online/offline wallets, even split up the coin. After throwing coin around to multiple places its almost impossible for someone to track back. I know some people that have over 50 addresses and "wash" their coin by themselves. Not sure why since they don't tell me what they are doing with their coin. I guess if you mine and get good payouts then transfer to real currency and don't pay taxes on that income it would be "illegal".

[Phinnaeus Gage]

You control on what you want to do. Transfer your coins to multiple addresses as many times as you wish. Use online/offline wallets, even split up the coin. After throwing coin around to multiple places its almost impossible for someone to track back. I know some people that have over 50 addresses and "wash" their coin by themselves. Not sure why since they don't tell me what they are doing with their coin. I guess if you mine and get good payouts then transfer to real currency and don't pay taxes on that income it would be "illegal".

Why doesn't one simply open an eStore and use the coins pretending to purchase something from themselves? If they're ever ask point-blank about any certain transaction, they could make up a name/address ect. or politely refuse to give out the info.

[hazek]

You control on what you want to do. Transfer your coins to multiple addresses as many times as you wish. Use online/offline wallets, even split up the coin. After throwing coin around to multiple places its almost impossible for someone to track back. I know some people that have over 50 addresses and "wash" their coin by themselves. Not sure why since they don't tell me what they are doing with their coin. I guess if you mine and get good payouts then transfer to real currency and don't pay taxes on that income it would be "illegal".

Why doesn't one simply open an eStore and use the coins pretending to purchase something from themselves? If they're ever ask point-blank about any certain transaction, they could make up a name/address ect. or politely refuse to give out the info.

Couldn't they achieve the same thing with a simple donation address. More over why bother? All you can by analyzing the blockchain is circumstantial evidence. As soon as there are a few transactions between the perpetrator and the current owner you can't possibly know if he is the perpetrator or not. You may assume so but you can't prove it.

[picobit]

Couldn't they achieve the same thing with a simple donation address. More over why bother? All you can by analyzing the blockchain is circumstantial evidence. As soon as there are a few transactions between the perpetrator and the current owner you can't possibly know if he is the perpetrator or not. You may assume so but you can't prove it.

Typically when people send btc around from one address to another, they start by spreading out the btc, but eventually they tend to be combined into the same transaction much later, showing that they have stayed with the same owner.  So it is very unreliable to hide your tracks with long chains of transactions.  Much better would be to send all the BTC to MtGox, sell them, buy them back a few days later, take the loss from price going up and then transfer them to a new wallet.  I assume that would hide your tracks.

[justusranvier]

I assume that would hide your tracks.

Except from Mt Gox...

[hazek]

Couldn't they achieve the same thing with a simple donation address. More over why bother? All you can by analyzing the blockchain is circumstantial evidence. As soon as there are a few transactions between the perpetrator and the current owner you can't possibly know if he is the perpetrator or not. You may assume so but you can't prove it.

Typically when people send btc around from one address to another, they start by spreading out the btc, but eventually they tend to be combined into the same transaction much later, showing that they have stayed with the same owner.  So it is very unreliable to hide your tracks with long chains of transactions.  Much better would be to send all the BTC to MtGox, sell them, buy them back a few days later, take the loss from price going up and then transfer them to a new wallet.  I assume that would hide your tracks.

What you describe again does not prove anything beyond a reasonable doubt.

[DoomDumas]

Interesting info here..

I am more on the "find someone by a wallet address" side !    Dont have to hide any of the few legit BTC I have

[hazek]

Interesting info here..

I am more on the "find someone by a wallet address" side !    Dont have to hide any of the few legit BTC I have

What "sides" do you speak of? There are no sides. There are just facts and assumptions.