Virginia Man Convicted in Case Involving 96 Deleted Government Databases
Summary
Sohaib Akhter was convicted of federal computer fraud conspiracy and password trafficking. Prosecutors said he and his brother accessed an EEOC complainant’s email and deleted 96 government databases after being fired.
Key points
- A federal jury found Akhter guilty of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and password trafficking, according to the Department of Justice.
- Akhter provided his twin brother a password that prosecutors said enabled unauthorized access to an EEOC complainant’s email account.
- Prosecutors said the brothers targeted their former employer after being fired and deleted 96 government databases while attempting to destroy evidence.
- The unnamed Washington, D.C.-based employer provides software services to more than 45 U.S. federal agencies, prosecutors said.
- Akhter faces sentencing on September 9 and up to 21 years in prison.
Article Details
- Victim Organization
- Unnamed Washington, D.C.-based company serving more than 45 U.S. federal agencies; an EEOC complainant's email account was also accessed
- Incident Type
- Unauthorized access, password trafficking, and deletion of government databases
- Affected Records
- 96 government databases were reportedly deleted
- Operational Impact
- Databases were deleted, and an EEOC complainant's email account was accessed without authorization. The article does not report service downtime or data exfiltration.
- Claim Status
- confirmed
Threat Actors
MuneemSohaib Akhter's twin brother. Prosecutors alleged that he received a stolen password from Akhter, and the government said the brothers targeted their former employer and deleted databases.Sohaib AkhterWas found guilty of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and password trafficking. Prosecutors said he provided his brother with a stolen password and that the brothers targeted their former employer; the government said they deleted databases and destroyed evidence.