The natural response for the attacker is to discount the ransom amount to compensate for the expected cost of penalties (from breaking the law). This will deter

The natural response for the attacker is to discount the ransom amount to compensate for the expected cost of penalties (from breaking the law). This will deter attacks if the expected penalty is greater than than the ransom amount, but anywhere less than that, the government just becomes a co-conspirator in the ransom.