US DoJ Probes Ex-Ransomware Negotiator Over Alleged Extortion Kickbacks

DigitalMint, a well-known financial cybersecurity firm, has revealed that one of its former employees is being investigated by the US Department of Justice. The probe centers on allegations that this individual colluded with ransomware gangs to receive illicit payments from their extortion scheme.

Oftentimes, when these notorious gangs strike, they threaten to release private information, make users' data inaccessible, or even lock down entire computer systems until a huge ransom or extortion payment is made. To deal with this, negotiators are called upon to handle discussions with the hackers on behalf of the victims. This is where DigitalMint claims to specialize: managing ransomware incidents and facilitating secure payments to help victims gain control and protect their data. This makes the accusations that one of its employees exploited the vulnerable situation of victims for illicit gain especially disturbing.

Following this revelation, DigitalMint President Marc Jason Grens quickly moved to distance the ...