⏱ 2 min read
Sohaib Akhter, a 34-year-old Alexandria man, worked for a Washington, D.C. company that provided software products and services to over 45 federal government agencies. On February 1, 2025, Akhter used his access to obtain a plaintext password for an individual who submitted a complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) Public Portal, which was then used to access the individual’s email account without authorization. After being fired on February 18, 2025, Akhter and his twin brother, Muneeb, sought revenge by accessing computers without authorization, deleting databases, and destroying evidence.
Over the course of several hours, the brothers deleted approximately 96 databases storing US government information hosted by the company, including case management and Freedom of Information Act response processing software. A search of Akhter’s cellphone also revealed that he had obtained firearms as early as January 2025 and had taken steps to sell them after a search warrant was executed on March 12, 2025.
Akhter’s actions led to a federal jury conviction on charges of conspiracy to commit computer fraud, password trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The conviction is a significant blow to those who attempt to compromise US government information and highlights the importance of protecting sensitive data.
The case was investigated by federal agencies, including the FBI, and demonstrates the seriousness with which cybercrime is treated in the United States. Akhter’s conviction serves as a warning to those who would seek to compromise US government databases and access sensitive information without authorization.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Cybercrime
- Defendant: Virginia
- Location: VA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
