FBI considers spy charges for ex-OpenAI engineer Alfozan

The federal government is weighing espionage charges against Abdulrahman Alfozan, a former engineer at OpenAI, following the discovery of a hidden recording device in the company's executive conference room. Alfozan, 35, was arrested earlier this month on a single count of unlawfully intercepting communications. That charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. His next court date is set for November 6.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, the FBI is investigating whether Alfozan secured confidential information to pass to the Saudi government. A law enforcement official told the journal that investigators are examining if he acted without a formal recruitment order. Prosecutors are also reviewing potential trade secret theft counts, though additional charges are not guaranteed.

Alfozan allegedly concealed a small circuit board and microphone behind a television in a room used by OpenAI leadership. Prosecutors say he maintained frequent WhatsApp contact with an unidentified member of the Saudi royal family during 2025 and 2026. The royal contact allegedly sought to recruit him for a Saudi AI initiative, writing in one message that Saudi Arabia needs him more than the United States.

The last known exchange between the two occurred on October 5, the same day Alfozan returned to the conference room to retrieve the device. OpenAI security staff had already found and removed it before notifying the FBI. Alfozan responded to the recruitment offer with the number 100, indicating he planned to stay at OpenAI until his company shares vested.

Alfozan bought one-way tickets to Saudi Arabia via Istanbul for himself, his wife, and their three-month-old son. He was detained three days before the scheduled flight. His wife and son later flew to Qatar on business-class tickets purchased by a Saudi military official. Defense attorney William Pernik stated that the official is the wife's brother-in-law and that no military funds were used. Pernik said Alfozan frequently books one-way flights and that the defense will litigate the case in court.

During an October 19 hearing, US Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse reviewed a letter from the Saudi Consulate in Los Angeles offering to cover Alfozan's bail. The judge questioned the offer, noting it resembled a blank check even if the bond were set at $10 million. Alfozan was denied bail due to flight risk concerns. OpenAI is currently determining what information the device may have captured and whether the incident constitutes corporate espionage or state-sponsored intelligence gathering.