US Investigating Ransomware Negotiation Firm Employee
The US Justice Department is investigating a former ransomware negotiator accused of colluding with hackers to take a portion of cryptocurrency payments. DigitalMint, the company involved, confirmed the termination of the employee upon learning of the allegations and stated it is not a target of the investigation, cooperating fully with law enforcement. Ransomware payments have decreased significantly, with only 25% of companies paying ransoms in late 2024, down from 85% in early 2019. This decline is attributed to improved cybersecurity measures, better recovery strategies, and increased law enforcement efforts. The US Treasury recently sanctioned the Russia-based Aeza Group for ransomware activities. Concerns have been raised about the motivations of ransomware negotiators, who may not prioritize clients' best interests if they profit from higher ransom payments.
