Are you trying to say that the threat actor is just going up to firms they're trying to extort and telling them lies? Criminals just going around lying to people? Don't they know that's against the law?

You joke, but these threat actors live and die by their reputation. Either they’re being honest, or this is a one-off or exit.

I mean, most people aren't criminals... what are the odds of someone being a DOUBLE criminal!?