Real time tracking, yes. But during investigation, no. The intelligence agencies and police states weren't blind before the invention of the internet, or even digitization of records.
In some cases, organizations simply had to actively file reports with government agencies via snail mail when certain suspicious activity was encountered, sort of an active, HUMINT client-side filter.
Best examples are one-way ticket purchases, or cash transfers at banks over $5000, or Western Union telegrams, these were activity monitored via human labor and dead tree paperwork.
In some cases, organizations simply had to actively file reports with government agencies via snail mail when certain suspicious activity was encountered, sort of an active, HUMINT client-side filter.
Best examples are one-way ticket purchases, or cash transfers at banks over $5000, or Western Union telegrams, these were activity monitored via human labor and dead tree paperwork.