Two Virginia twin brothers, Muneeb and Sohaib Akhter, 34, were arrested for allegedly conspiring to delete databases used to store U.S. government information, according to the Justice Department.
The brothers, who previously pleaded guilty in 2015 to federal conspiracy charges involving data breaches at the State Department and a cosmetics company, had served multiple years in prison before working as engineers for Opexus, a federal contractor managing government records.
After being terminated, the pair allegedly tried to harm their former employer and its government clients by accessing computers without authorization, issuing commands to block others from modifying databases, deleting sensitive information, and destroying evidence of their actions.
In February 2025, Muneeb Akhter allegedly deleted nearly 100 government databases, including Freedom of Information Act records and sensitive federal investigative files. The indictment also claims he sought guidance from an AI tool on clearing system logs after deleting a Department of Homeland Security database.
The brothers reportedly attempted to clean out their homes in anticipation of police searches and wiped their company laptops before returning them. Muneeb is further accused of unauthorized access to the EEOC and stealing IRS data affecting at least 450 individuals. Sohaib is charged with trafficking a password capable of accessing U.S. government computers.
Charges:
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Muneeb Akhter: Conspiracy to commit computer fraud and destroy records, two counts of computer fraud, theft of U.S. government records, two counts of aggravated identity theft.
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Sohaib Akhter: Conspiracy to commit computer fraud and destroy records, computer fraud.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti stated the brothers “abused their positions as federal contractors to attack government databases and steal sensitive government information,” jeopardizing security and disrupting agencies’ operations.
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