FBI Reviews Espionage Charges for Former OpenAI Engineer Alfozan

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is determining whether to file economic espionage charges against Abdulrahman Alfozan, a former engineer at OpenAI. Alfozan was detained earlier this month following the discovery of a concealed recording device in a restricted area of the company's offices.

Law enforcement sources indicate that agents are evaluating whether Alfozan gathered confidential data to present to the Saudi government. This assessment applies even if the Saudi state had not formally recruited him for such a role. Authorities are also reviewing potential counts for the theft of trade secrets, though the investigation may not lead to further prosecution.

Alfozan, 35, is a Saudi citizen and a United States permanent resident. He is accused of hiding a small circuit board and a microphone behind a television in a conference room used primarily by OpenAI leadership. He currently faces a federal charge of unlawfully intercepting communications, a offense carrying a maximum sentence of five years. His next court date is set for November 6.

Prosecutors have identified frequent WhatsApp exchanges between Alfozan and an unnamed member of the Saudi royal family during 2025 and 2026. The royal family member allegedly attempted to recruit Alfozan for a national AI initiative, writing that Saudi Arabia needed him more than the United States did. Alfozan replied with the number 100 but stated he planned to stay at OpenAI until his stock options vested. The last known message exchange occurred on October 5, the same day Alfozan allegedly returned to the room to retrieve the device after OpenAI security had already removed it.

Investigators noted that Alfozan bought one-way flights to Saudi Arabia via Istanbul for himself, his wife, and their three-month-old infant. He was arrested three days before their scheduled departure. Prosecutors stated that his wife and son later traveled to Qatar on business-class tickets purchased by a Saudi military official. Defense lawyers described the official as the wife's brother-in-law and asserted that no military funds were used in the purchase.

During an October 19 detention hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse reviewed a letter from the Saudi Consulate in Los Angeles offering to cover Alfozan's full bail bond. The judge expressed concern that the offer functioned as a blank check to secure his release. Alfozan was denied bail because the judge determined he presented a flight risk. William Pernik, Alfozan's attorney, stated that his client has received no notice of additional charges and intends to contest the allegations in court rather than in the media.

OpenAI is currently analyzing the data captured by the recording device. A person familiar with the matter said the company is assessing whether the incident represents corporate espionage or state-sponsored intelligence gathering.