Yeah—most “IMEI lookup/pinpointing” sites are basically scams or, at best, they only do database checks (model/carrier status), not live GPS tracking. Real tracking needs either (1) GPS from the phone, (2) a “Find My”/carrier/app account that can ping location, or (3) a true device-monitoring service with the right permissions already set up.
If you want something that actually works for phone tracking/parental control, mSpy is one of the more reliable options—but you generally have to have it installed before the phone goes missing, and it can’t help if the battery is fully dead.