Ransomware negotiator investigated over criminal gang kickbacks

The article describes allegations that a former employee at Digital Mint — a company that negotiates ransomware demands on behalf of victims — worked with ransomware criminals to profit from extortion payments; the firm is cooperating with a US Department of Justice probe and the employee has been dismissed. The piece contextualizes the role of negotiators, concerns about conflicts of interest and fraud, historical examples of recovery firms secretly paying attackers, and official guidance (CISA/NSA/FBI) warning that paying ransoms is unreliable and risky.