What Happened to Sohaib and Muneeb Akhter Federal Database Deletion Scandal?

The 'Twin Brothers Database Wipe Scandal' centers on Sohaib and Muneeb Akhter, twin brothers who, in February 2025, maliciously deleted approximately 96 U.S. government databases. The incident occurred shortly after their termination from Opexus, a Washington D.C.-based federal contractor providing software services to over 45 federal agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The brothers' actions were a calculated act of revenge following their dismissal, which stemmed from Muneeb convincing Sohaib to obtain a third party's plaintext password from an EEOC database, leading to unauthorized email access and their subsequent firing.

The motivation behind the extensive data deletion was explicitly retaliatory. After being fired via videoconference, and while Sohaib's network access was deactivated, Muneeb retained access and, over 56 minutes, write-protected and deleted numerous databases, destroying logs and other evidence. The compromised data included case management information, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request processing software, and sensitive investigative files. This malicious activity was condemned by federal officials, highlighting a 'blatant disregard for the security and integrity of federal information systems.'

A significant turning point in the scandal was the revelation of the brothers' prior criminal history. In 2015, both Sohaib and Muneeb Akhter were convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and hacking into the U.S. Department of State, among other cybercrimes. Muneeb was sentenced to 39 months and Sohaib to 24 months in prison for these earlier offenses, which involved stealing credit card data and attempting to install a device for unauthorized access to State Department systems. Their subsequent employment as federal contractors, despite these felony convictions, raised serious questions about background check procedures and insider threat vulnerabilities within government contracting.

The consequences of the database wipe were severe, leading to the permanent loss of FOIA requests and other critical records for several agencies. Federal prosecutors noted that Muneeb Akhter even queried an artificial intelligence tool on how to clear system logs after deleting databases, indicating a deliberate attempt to conceal their tracks. Both brothers also wiped their company laptops before returning them. The Department of Justice arrested them in December 2025.

As of May 14, 2026, the legal proceedings have seen significant developments. Sohaib Akhter, 34, was convicted by a federal jury in early May 2026 on charges including conspiracy to commit computer fraud, password trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He faces a maximum of 21 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for September 2026. Muneeb Akhter, who faces more severe charges including aggravated identity theft, computer fraud, and theft of U.S. government records, initially signed an agreed statement of facts admitting to deleting 96 databases. However, he is now reportedly attempting to have these charges dismissed. If convicted, Muneeb faces a mandatory minimum of two years for each aggravated identity theft count and up to 45 years in prison for the remaining charges. The incident has prompted renewed calls for stricter off-boarding procedures and enhanced insider threat prevention measures in federal contracting.