Espionage Probe: FBI Scrutinizes OpenAI Engineer's Saudi Links
Investigators are determining if a hidden microphone in an executive room constitutes economic espionage for the Saudi government.
By Alina Carter ·
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is weighing whether to file economic espionage charges against Abdulrahman Alfozan, a former OpenAI engineer arrested this month. The probe focuses on allegations that he planted a recording device in a restricted conference room at the artificial intelligence firm to gather confidential information for Saudi Arabia, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal on Saturday.
Law enforcement officials told the newspaper that investigators are examining whether Alfozan acquired sensitive data to pass to the Saudi government, even if he had not been formally recruited for the task. Prosecutors are also evaluating potential trade secret theft charges, though the current investigation may not lead to additional prosecutions.
Alfozan, 35, is a Saudi national and US permanent resident. He faces a federal charge of unlawfully intercepting communications, a crime punishable by up to five years in prison. His next court appearance is set for November 6. His attorney, William Pernik, stated that he has seen no sign of new charges being drafted. “We made it very clear that Mr. Alfozan will fight these charges and allegations in court, not in the press,” Pernik said.
Prosecutors allege that Alfozan hid a small circuit board and microphone behind a television in a room primarily used by OpenAI executives. They say he exchanged frequent WhatsApp messages with an unidentified member of the Saudi royal family during 2025 and 2026. The royal family member allegedly wrote, “Saudi needs you more then [sic] the US!” Alfozan replied, “100,” while noting he intended to stay at OpenAI until his company shares vested. The last known exchange occurred on October 5, the same day he allegedly returned to retrieve the device.
OpenAI security staff had already found and removed the device before notifying the FBI. Prosecutors disclosed that Alfozan purchased one-way tickets to Saudi Arabia via Istanbul for himself, his wife, and their three-month-old son. He was arrested three days before their planned departure. His wife and son later flew to Qatar on business-class tickets bought by a Saudi military official. Defense attorneys identified the official as the wife's brother-in-law and stated that no military funds were used.
During an October 19 detention hearing, US Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse questioned a letter from the Saudi Consulate in Los Angeles offering to cover the entire bail bond. “Even if I set it at $10 million?” the judge asked. “I find that problematic. Seems like a blank check. ‘We’re gonna pay whatever the court wants to make sure he gets out.’” Alfozan was denied bail after the judge determined he posed a flight risk. OpenAI is currently assessing what information the device captured and whether the incident involved corporate espionage or state-sponsored intelligence gathering.
