VIRGINIA BROTHERS CHARGED WITH HACKING AND DELETING FEDERAL DATABASES HOLDING FOIA RECORDS

DOJ says twin brothers abused federal contractor access to erase nearly 100 U.S. government databases, steal sensitive records, and attempt to cover their tracks

Federal authorities have arrested Muneeb and Sohaib Akhter, 34-year-old twin brothers from Virginia, charging them with a sweeping set of cybercrimes after they allegedly hacked into U.S. government systems and deleted approximately 96 federal databases containing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) records, agency investigative files, and sensitive government data.

The Department of Justice announced the arrests following a grand jury indictment that outlines a detailed, deliberate effort by the brothers to destroy federal records, steal confidential information, and sabotage the systems of a major government contractor shortly after being terminated on February 18, 2025.

Access Turned Weapon

According to prosecutors, the brothers abused privileged access they held as federal contractors to penetrate systems used by more than 45 federal agencies, including the EEOC, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Internal Revenue Service. The contractor is not named in the indictment, but public federal procurement records identify the company as a major software provider responsible for platforms such as eCASE and FOIAXpress, which support audits and public records management across the federal government.

The indictment states that after their termination, the brothers deliberately deleted databases containing FOIA records, active investigative documents, and sensitive datasets belonging to multiple federal agencies. Some FOIA archives between February 14 and February 18 — and in one agency’s case, from February 18 to March 18 — are reportedly permanently lost.

Charges and Penalties

The charges are severe:

• Muneeb Akhter faces charges of aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to commit computer fraud, destruction of federal records, theft of U.S. government data, and related offenses — carrying a maximum penalty of 45 years in prison.
• Sohaib Akhter faces conspiracy and computer fraud charges, with a maximum penalty of six years.

Prosecutors allege that Muneeb not only wiped databases but also attempted to cover his tracks by querying an AI tool one minute after deleting a DHS database, asking how to clear system logs to avoid detection.

The indictment also reveals that the brothers wiped their laptops before returning them to their employer and discussed cleaning out their homes to prepare for an anticipated law enforcement search. Their own recorded conversation is quoted directly:

“They’re gonna probably raid this place,” Sohaib said.
“I’ll clean this shit up,” Muneeb replied.
“We also gotta clean stuff up from the other house, man,” Sohaib added.

Stolen Federal Data

Authorities say Muneeb stole EEOC information and IRS-related data from a virtual machine holding records on roughly 450 individuals. The stolen materials reportedly included sensitive investigative files, internal documentation, and government-owned datasets not intended for contractor access.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti condemned their actions, stating:
“These defendants abused their positions as federal contractors to attack government databases and steal sensitive government information. Their actions jeopardized the security of government systems and disrupted agencies’ ability to serve the American people.”

A Long History of Cybercrime

This is not the brothers’ first encounter with federal cybercrime charges.

In the 2010s, both were convicted in a sprawling fraud and hacking case involving stolen credit cards, airline tickets, hotel bookings, and unauthorized access to federal systems. Prosecutors from that era said Muneeb attempted to join a hacking collective and used criminal intrusions to demonstrate his skill.

During that earlier investigation, authorities discovered the brothers used their employment — including roles at the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department — to illegally download sensitive passport, visa, and internal government data. Muneeb later pleaded guilty and served additional prison time for repeatedly violating supervised release conditions. Sohaib also served multiple years in federal custody.

A Renewed Federal Push

The DOJ, FBI, DHS, and multiple federal investigative units have emphasized that insider cyber threats remain a top-tier national security concern — especially when involving individuals with technical access and government credentials.

With nearly 100 federal databases destroyed or compromised, agencies are now working to determine the full extent of operational impact, data loss, and potential exposure of sensitive records.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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