// Context
About This Negotiation
This transcript documents a Akira ransomware negotiation with a redacted victim organisation.
The negotiation consisted of 26 messages exchanged over Unknown.
The initial ransom demand was $1.7M. The negotiation resulted in a confirmed payment.
// Primary Source
Full Transcript — Verbatim
Reproduced from Casualtek's Ransomchats archive. URLs have been redacted.
Victim names are shown only where the breach was publicly reported in mainstream media. Any organisation wishing their name redacted can contact us at
enquiries@binary-response.com — we will act promptly.
[Victim] — — Message 1/26
> ?
[Akira] — — Message 2/26
> Hello. You've reached an Akira support chat. Currently, we are preparing the list of data we took from your network. For now you have to know that dealing with us is the best possible way to settle this quick and cheap. Keep in touch and be patient with us. We will reach out to you soon. Do you have a permission to conduct a negotiation on behalf of your organization? Once we get a response you will be provided with all the details.
[Akira] — — Message 3/26
> Are you going to work with us?
[Victim] — — Message 4/26
> We're reaching out to figure out what's going on.
[Akira] — — Message 5/26
> Do you have a permission to conduct a negotiation on behalf of your organization? Once we get a response you will be provided with all the details.
[Victim] — — Message 6/26
> I am authorized to speak you and will relay what is discussed to our team.
[Akira] — — Message 7/26
> List.rar // 447 KB
[Akira] — — Message 8/26
> These files were taken from your network prior to encryption. You can pick 2-3 random files up to 10 MB each from the list and we will upload them to this chat as a proof of possession. To prove that we can properly decrypt your data you can upload 2-3 encrypted files up to 10 MB each to our chat and we will upload decrypted copies back. We're looking through your financial papers to come up with a reasonable demand to you. We offer: 1) full decryption assistance;
2) evidence of data removal;
3) security report on vulnerabilities we found;
4) guarantees not to publish or sell your data;
5) guarantees not to attack you in the future. Let me know whether you're interested in a whole deal or in parts. This will affect the final price.
[Victim] — — Message 9/26
> Please send the following files
[Victim] — — Message 10/26
> [redacted].pdf
[Victim] — — Message 11/26
> [redacted].xlsx
[Victim] — — Message 12/26
> [redacted].pdf
[Akira] — — Message 13/26
> files.rar // 4.04 MB
[Akira] — — Message 14/26
> There is no file [redacted].pdf in the list. Do you want to test our decryption tool?
[Victim] — — Message 15/26
> We do here is a link to the files
[Victim] — — Message 16/26
> [REDACTED URL]
[Akira] — — Message 17/26
> Please wait.
[Akira] — — Message 18/26
> decrypted.7z // 70.3 KB
[Akira] — — Message 19/26
> Here are the files. We're willing to set a $1,700,000 price for ALL the services we offer.
[Akira] — — Message 20/26
> Are you going to work with us?
[Victim] — — Message 21/26
> We are talking with our board members, they are aware of the offer and I will say it was a shock. If you’re able to offer anything lower let us know.
[Akira] — — Message 22/26
> The price is not a shock for your company. If you have a counter offer, please let us know asap as we won't wait long.
[Akira] — — Message 23/26
> You have 24 hours to give us your decision regarding this deal. If you stay silent, we will announce the breach on our blog.
[Victim] — — Message 24/26
> Our board members have discussed and they don't have this level of funds available. Let me know if there’s a better number I can bring to them to resolve this.
[Akira] — — Message 25/26
> We've already provided a better number. The question is are you going to work with us or not. Let us know your counter offer asap. If we don't receive one, we will have to announce the incident on our blog.
[Akira] — — Message 26/26
> You can find your company name in our news column: [REDACTED URL] If you want this post to be removed, we have to agree on something.