Abdulrahman Alfozan faces potential espionage charge in OpenAI probe

The FBI is considering adding an economic espionage charge to the federal case against Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old Saudi national and legal permanent resident who worked as an engineer at OpenAI. A law-enforcement official told The Wall Street Journal that the probe questions whether Alfozan stole information from the company to offer to the Saudi government, even if he was not formally recruited to do so.

Alfozan was arrested earlier this month in San Francisco. Prosecutors accuse him of wrapping a thumb-sized device containing a microphone and camera in toilet paper and plugging it behind a television in a conference room primarily used by OpenAI executives. He is currently charged with violating a federal recording statute, a crime that carries a maximum prison sentence of five years.

The investigation centers on Alfozan's communications with a member of the Saudi royal family. According to court filings, the two exchanged frequent WhatsApp messages throughout 2025 and 2026. The royal family member allegedly tried to recruit Alfozan for a new AI initiative in Saudi Arabia. In one message, the family member wrote, "Saudi needs you more than [sic] the US!" Alfozan replied with "100" but stated he would not leave until his OpenAI stock vested.

OpenAI discovered the hidden device during a security sweep on September 30. The company removed the equipment and contacted the FBI shortly after. Alfozan allegedly returned to the conference room on October 5 to look for the device, which was the same day prosecutors say he last communicated with the royal family member. The company is currently trying to determine if the incident was corporate espionage or state-sponsored spying.

William Pernik, Alfozan's lawyer, said he has not received any information from the government regarding additional charges. The law-enforcement official noted that the investigation may not lead to further charges. Alfozan studied computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and worked at Meta before joining OpenAI in July 2025.

A San Francisco federal judge ordered Alfozan detained without bail last week. Judge Alex Tse cited a significant risk of flight. The judge described the Saudi Consulate in Los Angeles offer to pay the bail in full as problematic. Alfozan's next court hearing is scheduled for November 6.

The Saudi embassy in Washington and OpenAI did not comment on the case. The incident has raised concerns about the protection of confidential information as companies and governments compete to develop advanced AI technology.