Ransomware Payments Hit $2 Billion in Q1 2026 Despite FBI Warnings

Ransomware payments reached $2 billion in Q1 2026 alone, a 60% increase from the same period last year, despite law enforcement agencies worldwide urging victims not to pay.

Why Payments Continue

Companies calculate that paying ransoms is cheaper than operational downtime, data loss, and regulatory fines. The average downtime cost exceeds $1.5 million per day for enterprise victims.

Law Enforcement Dilemma

The FBI acknowledges that its "don't pay" guidance is increasingly impractical for companies facing existential threats from data encryption and exfiltration.

• $2 billion in Q1 payments (60% YoY increase)
• Average ransom: $1.2 million
• Downtime costs $1.5M/day for enterprises
• Law enforcement guidance increasingly impractical