What Happened to Muneeb and Sohaib Akhter?

Muneeb and Sohaib Akhter, twin brothers from Virginia, have a long history of cybercrime. Their most recent and significant incident occurred in February 2025, shortly after they were fired from their positions as federal contractors for Opexus, a company providing software services to over 45 U.S. federal agencies. The brothers, who were 34 at the time, allegedly retaliated by accessing computer systems without authorization and deleting approximately 96 databases storing U.S. government information. These databases contained sensitive data, including Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) records, sensitive investigative files, and case management data from agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

The motive behind the extensive data destruction was identified as retaliation for their termination. The company fired them after discovering Sohaib Akhter's prior felony conviction. Immediately after being fired during an online meeting on February 18, 2025, the brothers began their destructive actions, which included write-protecting databases, deleting them, and attempting to destroy evidence. Muneeb Akhter, in particular, used an artificial intelligence tool to query how to clear system logs after deleting databases, indicating a deliberate attempt to cover their tracks. They also wiped their company-issued laptops before returning them.

This was not the Akhter brothers' first encounter with the law. In 2015, they were convicted for a wire fraud scheme and conspiring to hack into the U.S. Department of State, where they sought to obtain sensitive passport and visa information. Muneeb was sentenced to 39 months and Sohaib to 24 months in prison for these earlier crimes. Despite their criminal history, they were later rehired by Opexus, a lapse in background checks that has drawn significant scrutiny.

The consequences of their 2025 actions were severe. The deletion of databases led to the permanent loss of some FOIA requests and disrupted agencies' ability to serve the public. Federal prosecutors emphasized that their actions jeopardized government systems and national security. The brothers were indicted on November 13, 2025, and arrested in early December 2025.

As of May 14, 2026, Sohaib Akhter has been convicted by a federal jury on charges including conspiracy to commit computer fraud, password trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He faces a maximum penalty of 21 years in prison, with his sentencing scheduled for September 9, 2026. Muneeb Akhter faces even more severe charges, including aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to commit computer fraud and to destroy records, and theft of U.S. government records, carrying a maximum penalty of 45 years in prison. The case highlights ongoing concerns about insider threats and the vulnerabilities of federal contractors.