FBI examines spy charge against Saudi engineer in OpenAI probe
Abdulrahman Alfozan faces a potential economic espionage count over a hidden recording device planted in an OpenAI executive room.
By Amina Howard ·
The FBI is evaluating whether to add an economic espionage charge to the case against Abdulrahman Alfozan, a Saudi national accused of bugging an OpenAI office. A law enforcement official told The Wall Street Journal that investigators are assessing if Alfozan stole company information for the Saudi government. This determination holds regardless of whether he was formally recruited by state officials.
Alfozan, 35, is a legal permanent resident of the United States. He joined OpenAI as an engineer in July 2025. Prior to that, he studied computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and worked at Meta. His current federal charges stem from a device found in a San Francisco meeting room used by executives. Prosecutors allege he wrapped a thumb-sized microphone and camera in toilet paper and plugged it behind a television.
OpenAI discovered the device during a security sweep on 30 September. The company notified the FBI shortly after the find. Alfozan was arrested earlier in October. He is currently charged with violating a federal recording statute, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of five years. His defense attorney, William Pernik, stated that the defense team has not yet received notice of any additional charges from the government.
Federal prosecutors detailed Alfozan's ties to Saudi Arabia in a court filing. The document notes he maintained frequent WhatsApp communications with an unnamed member of the Saudi royal family during 2025 and 2026. The family member reportedly attempted to recruit him for a Saudi AI initiative. One message in the filing reads, “Saudi needs you more than [sic] the US!” Alfozan replied “100” but indicated he would not leave until his stock options vested.
Prosecutors identified 5 October as the date of their most recent communication. That is the same day Alfozan allegedly visited the conference room to check on the recording device. The Saudi embassy in Washington and OpenAI have not commented on the investigation. One source familiar with the matter said OpenAI is working to classify the incident as either corporate espionage or state-sponsored spying.
A San Francisco federal judge ordered Alfozan detained without bail last week. Judge Alex Tse cited a “significant” risk that the defendant would flee. The judge described the Saudi Consulate in Los Angeles offer to pay bail in full as “problematic.” The case continues to draw attention to security protocols in the artificial intelligence sector.
Alfozan’s next court hearing is set for 6 November. The FBI has not confirmed whether the investigation will result in further charges. The potential addition of an espionage count would elevate the severity of the case beyond the current recording statute violation.
