Former Contractors Accused of Wiping 96 U.S. Government Databases
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Two former federal contractors, Muneeb and Sohaib Akhter, have been convicted for conspiring to steal sensitive information and wipe 96 U.S. government databases in February 2025 after being fired. The brothers, who had prior convictions for hacking U.S. State Department systems in 2016, were rehired by a contractor servicing over 45 federal agencies. They allegedly used commands to prevent database modifications, deleted critical records including Freedom of Information Act files and investigative documents, and attempted to conceal their actions by wiping logs, company laptops, and seeking guidance from an AI assistant on erasing evidence. The brothers were terminated during a remote meeting on February 18, 2025, immediately after the company discovered Sohaib Akhter’s felony conviction. They face severe penalties, with Sohaib scheduled for sentencing on September 9, 2026, potentially receiving up to 21 years in prison, while Muneeb faces a maximum of 45 years for multiple felony charges including computer fraud, aggravated identity theft, and destruction of government records.
Timeline
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04.12.2025 18:30 2 articles · 5mo ago
Former Contractors Charged with Wiping 96 U.S. Government Databases
The article confirms the brothers' prior 2016 convictions for hacking U.S. State Department systems and stealing personal information, including that of a federal law enforcement agent investigating their crimes. It also reveals that they were rehired as government contractors servicing over 45 federal agencies after serving their sentences. The company terminated both brothers during an online remote meeting on February 18, 2025, immediately after discovering Sohaib Akhter’s felony conviction, which triggered the subsequent unauthorized access, write-protecting and deletion of 96 government databases across multiple agencies. The brothers allegedly used an AI assistant to inquire about clearing system logs shortly after deleting a Department of Homeland Security database, and actively destroyed evidence including company laptops and system logs. Federal charges were filed in November 2025, and both brothers now face severe penalties: Sohaib Akhter is scheduled for sentencing on September 9, 2026, with a maximum penalty of 21 years in prison, while Muneeb Akhter faces up to 45 years for conspiracy to commit computer fraud, destruction of records, aggravated identity theft, and theft of government information.
Show sources
- Contractors with hacking records accused of wiping 96 govt databases — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 04.12.2025 18:30
- Former govt contractor convicted for wiping dozens of federal databases — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 08.05.2026 11:45
Information Snippets
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Muneeb and Sohaib Akhter were previously convicted in 2015 for hacking U.S. State Department systems and stealing personal information.
First reported: 04.12.2025 18:301 source, 2 articlesShow sources
- Contractors with hacking records accused of wiping 96 govt databases — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 04.12.2025 18:30
- Former govt contractor convicted for wiping dozens of federal databases — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 08.05.2026 11:45
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Muneeb Akhter deleted approximately 96 databases in February 2025, including sensitive investigative documents from multiple federal agencies.
First reported: 04.12.2025 18:301 source, 2 articlesShow sources
- Contractors with hacking records accused of wiping 96 govt databases — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 04.12.2025 18:30
- Former govt contractor convicted for wiping dozens of federal databases — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 08.05.2026 11:45
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The brothers allegedly used commands to prevent others from modifying the databases before deletion and destroyed evidence of their activities.
First reported: 04.12.2025 18:301 source, 2 articlesShow sources
- Contractors with hacking records accused of wiping 96 govt databases — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 04.12.2025 18:30
- Former govt contractor convicted for wiping dozens of federal databases — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 08.05.2026 11:45
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Muneeb Akhter is charged with conspiracy to commit computer fraud, theft of U.S. government records, and aggravated identity theft.
First reported: 04.12.2025 18:301 source, 2 articlesShow sources
- Contractors with hacking records accused of wiping 96 govt databases — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 04.12.2025 18:30
- Former govt contractor convicted for wiping dozens of federal databases — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 08.05.2026 11:45
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Sohaib Akhter is charged with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and password trafficking.
First reported: 04.12.2025 18:301 source, 2 articlesShow sources
- Contractors with hacking records accused of wiping 96 govt databases — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 04.12.2025 18:30
- Former govt contractor convicted for wiping dozens of federal databases — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 08.05.2026 11:45
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Sohaib Akhter was convicted in 2016 for unauthorized access to U.S. State Department systems and theft of personal information of co-workers and a federal law enforcement agent.
First reported: 08.05.2026 11:451 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Former govt contractor convicted for wiping dozens of federal databases — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 08.05.2026 11:45
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The brothers were rehired as government contractors by a company servicing over 45 federal agencies after serving their 2016 sentences.
First reported: 08.05.2026 11:451 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Former govt contractor convicted for wiping dozens of federal databases — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 08.05.2026 11:45
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The company terminated both brothers during an online remote meeting on February 18, 2025, immediately after discovering Sohaib Akhter's felony conviction.
First reported: 08.05.2026 11:451 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Former govt contractor convicted for wiping dozens of federal databases — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 08.05.2026 11:45
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The brothers allegedly used an AI assistant to inquire about clearing system logs shortly after deleting a Department of Homeland Security database.
First reported: 08.05.2026 11:451 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Former govt contractor convicted for wiping dozens of federal databases — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 08.05.2026 11:45
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Sohaib Akhter is scheduled to be sentenced on September 9, 2026, facing a maximum of 21 years in prison.
First reported: 08.05.2026 11:451 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Former govt contractor convicted for wiping dozens of federal databases — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 08.05.2026 11:45
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Muneeb Akhter faces a maximum of 45 years for two counts of computer fraud, conspiracy to commit computer fraud and destroy records, two counts of aggravated identity theft, and theft of U.S. government records.
First reported: 08.05.2026 11:451 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Former govt contractor convicted for wiping dozens of federal databases — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 08.05.2026 11:45
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