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. Silhouette of a woman with clouds signifying health concerns Cancer patient forced to make terrible decision after Qilin attack on London …

[Eclectic Man]

Professional misconduct?

Any lawyer who provided such a service would almost certainly bring their professional association into disrepute and be disbarred, if that is what happens to naughty solicitors.

And who would be paying their fees?

[Wang Cores]

Re: Professional misconduct?

Wanna know what jurisdiction they practice in.

[Just Enough]

Re: Professional misconduct?

Never mind disrepute, it would also be aiding and abetting a crime. Disbarring would be the least of it.

Lawyers provide a function in defending someone accused of a crime. This valid and legal relationship does not extend to assisting in committing the crime.

The only way this is going to work, if it actual is what it claims to be, is by the lawyers being an anonymous as their clients.

[Anonymous Coward]

Just like IP enforcement

I must say this ransomware business model is a carbon copy the Intellectual Property, patent & copyright, blackmail business.

That IP blackmail worked very well and was very profitable. I can see how legal professionals made the switch from the legal to illegal side easily as the morals of IP blackmail and ransomware are identical.

Moreover, some of the IP blackmail proved to be equally illegal, so not much would change anyway by catering to ransomware gangs.