A ‘Legal’ Department for a Ransomware Gang? Inside the Bizarre World of Qilin’s Extortion Tactics
The Qilin group, notorious for its ruthless methods of digital extortion, has announced the creation of a so-called “legal department.” The very phrase sounds paradoxical: can one truly speak of a legal mechanism within an international criminal syndicate specializing in ransomware attacks? In essence, this appears less a genuine organizational structure than a propaganda campaign, as no external evidence of its existence has been found.
According to Qilin representatives, their “lawyers” allegedly participate in negotiations with victims and scrutinize corporate documents for potential violations. Such findings, in the criminals’ design, can serve as an additional lever of coercion: if a company refuses to pay, the attackers not only threaten to publish stolen data but also insinuate that regulators might take interest in the compromising information uncovered. During an interview, a spokesperson even claimed that law enforcement agencies secretly seek access to the results of these “audits,” though no proof was offered.
In the same exchange, the criminals also promoted their proprietary software, presenting it as reliable and technologically advanced. They highlighted features such as supposedly “unbreakable encryption,” instant DDoS attack deployment, and secure data storage. These claims sounded more like marketing slogans than substantiated technical facts. When pressed by journalists on specifics—such as programming languages, encryption algorithms, management infrastructure, or defensive evasion techniques—the Qilin members refused to answer, insisting that disclosure would only aid researchers and law enforcement.
Nevertheless, the interlocutor provided a detailed account of the services allegedly encompassed within their “ecosystem.” Qilin’s arsenal, as described, includes a powerful encryption system that no one has bypassed without their decryptor, the ability to launch DDoS attacks in under thirty seconds, live phone calls from operators to intensify pressure on victims, secure storage for stolen data, and a proprietary platform for anonymous negotiations. For affiliates, they claim to offer administrators and negotiators who will manage communications with victims. All these elements are positioned as the “highest level of service” in the industry.
As for the “legal department” itself, the spokesperson claimed it employs specialists in U.S., EU, and other regional law. They allegedly examine corporate reports for irregularities ranging from tax evasion to corruption and labor disputes. Such information is then weaponized for intimidation, with the assertion that “dirty secrets” can be found in virtually any large organization. Qilin even suggests it may offer “legal guidance” alongside technical instructions once ransom is paid.
When asked about the risks of revealing such a unit, the criminals responded that they carefully vet personnel and separate them by time zones, eliminating direct contact. By their account, even if one member is arrested, authorities would glean only minimal information. They stressed that they have no intention of abandoning this initiative, considering it “successful.”
Interestingly, during the interview, journalists were offered a limited one-day trial of Qilin’s management panel, though real access was never granted. Thus, none of the advertised features could be verified. All that is known of the group’s operations remains based solely on their own statements, unsupported by independent sources.
The conversation with a Qilin representative offers insight into how the group attempts to cultivate the image of a “professional organization” cloaked in legality and corporate polish. In reality, behind this façade lies extortion, threats, and psychological pressure. For security professionals, such trends underscore that the evolution of modern ransomware extends not only along technical lines but also through information manipulation and the deliberate construction of an illusion of “legitimacy” around criminal enterprise.
