Qilin ransomware top dogs treat their minions to on-call lawyers for fierier negotiations

The latest marketing ploy from the ransomware crooks behind the Qilin operation involves offering affiliates access to a crack team of lawyers to ramp up pressure in ransom negotiations.

Researchers at Cybereason noticed a recent post to an underground cybercrime forum penned by one of its mods, claiming to have added a "Call lawyer" button to its affiliate panel.

With a single click, the feature ostensibly summons a legal expert into ransom negotiation chat windows to offer professional advice on matters such as:

• A legal assessment of the data stolen by the ransomware affiliate
• What exact laws and regulations the victim has violated by allowing the theft of said data
• An evaluation of the potential costs associated with cleaning up the mess, should the victim choose not to pay a ransom

The lawyers can also supposedly step in and orchestrate the negotiations directly themselves, and advise the victim how exactly ...