The coronavirus pandemic has unmasked a host of corporate villains, yet so far, little—if any—action has been taken against them.

In many western European countries—which are among the hardest hit by the virus’ spread—companies of all sizes have deliberately withheld rents and payment to suppliers, as well as refunds to customers—all of which is either illegal or unethical (or both).

Neil Hodge is a freelance business journalist and photographer based in Nottingham, United Kingdom. He writes on insurance and risk management, corporate governance, internal audit, compliance, and legal...