In comedy of errors, men accused of wiping gov databases turned to an AI tool
In a bizarre twist of fate, two brothers, Muneeb and Sohaib Akhter, have found themselves back in the legal spotlight after a decade-long hiatus following their previous conviction for hacking into U.S. State Department systems. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Thursday that the 34-year-old siblings from Alexandria, Virginia, have been charged once again, this time for an audacious and poorly executed attempt to erase government records just minutes after being terminated from their contractor positions. Previously, the Akhters’ illicit activities had landed them in prison, but this latest incident appears to showcase a mix of desperation and a lack of foresight.
According to the indictment, the brothers were employed by a contractor that provides software and services to 45 federal agencies. Their downfall began on February 18, when they were fired around 4:55 PM. Mere minutes later, they allegedly attempted to access their former employer’s systems in a bid to delete sensitive databases and documents belonging to three government agencies. Despite one brother having his access revoked, the other managed to infiltrate a government agency’s database. In a reckless move, he executed commands that not only prevented other users from accessing the database but also initiated the deletion of 96 databases, including those containing sensitive investigative files and records related to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) matters. This hasty and clumsy attempt to cover their tracks raises questions about their judgment, especially considering their prior experience with hacking.
The case highlights a troubling trend of insider threats within federal contracting, where individuals with access to sensitive information can exploit their positions for personal gain or out of spite. As the DOJ continues its investigation, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within government systems and the potential consequences of misusing access privileges. With the Akhters facing serious charges, including conspiracy and unauthorized access to government computers, the legal ramifications could be severe, potentially leading to significant prison time. Their story not only underscores the importance of cybersecurity in government contracting but also serves as a cautionary tale about the lengths some individuals might go to in a misguided attempt to retaliate against their employers.
Two sibling contractors convicted a decade ago for hacking into US State Department systems have once again been charged, this time for a comically hamfisted attempt to steal and destroy government records just minutes after being fired from their contractor jobs.
The Department of Justice on Thursday
said
that Muneeb Akhter and Sohaib Akhter, both 34, of Alexandria, Virginia, deleted databases and documents maintained and belonging to three government agencies. The brothers were federal contractors working for an undisclosed company in Washington, DC, that provides software and services to 45 US agencies. Prosecutors said the men coordinated the crimes and began carrying them out just minutes after being fired.
Using AI to cover up an alleged crime—what could go wrong?
On February 18 at roughly 4:55 pm, the men were fired from the company, according to an
indictment
unsealed on Thursday. Five minutes later, they allegedly began trying to access their employer’s system and access federal government databases. By then, access to one of the brothers’ accounts had already been terminated. The other brother, however, allegedly accessed a government agency’s database stored on the employer’s server and issued commands to prevent other users from connecting or making changes to the database. Then, prosecutors said, he issued a command to delete 96 databases, many of which contained sensitive investigative files and records related to Freedom of Information Act matters.
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