FBI reviews espionage case against Alfozan

A 35-year-old former OpenAI engineer is under federal review for potential economic espionage charges. Abdulrahman Alfozan, a Saudi national and US permanent resident, was arrested earlier this month for allegedly planting a recording device in a restricted area of the artificial intelligence company.

The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that investigators are examining whether Alfozan obtained confidential information to offer to the Saudi government. A law enforcement official told the paper that prosecutors are considering these charges even if Alfozan was not formally recruited for the task. Authorities are also weighing potential trade secret theft charges, though the investigation may not lead to additional prosecution.

Alfozan currently faces one federal charge of unlawfully intercepting communications. This offense carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 6.

According to prosecutors, Alfozan exchanged frequent WhatsApp messages with an unidentified member of the Saudi royal family in 2025 and 2026. The royal family member allegedly tried to recruit him for a Saudi artificial intelligence initiative. One message read, “Saudi needs you more then [sic] the US!” Alfozan reportedly responded with “100” but indicated he intended to stay at OpenAI until his company shares vested. The last known exchange occurred on October 5, the same day Alfozan allegedly returned to the conference room to retrieve the device.

OpenAI security personnel had already discovered and removed the small circuit board and microphone hidden behind a television. They subsequently notified the FBI. OpenAI is now examining what information the device captured and whether the incident involved corporate espionage or state-sponsored intelligence gathering.

Prosecutors also noted 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 traveled to Qatar on business-class tickets bought by a Saudi military official. Defense attorneys said the official was the wife's brother-in-law and 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 Alfozan's bail bond. The judge called the offer a “blank check” and denied bail, citing a flight risk. Alfozan's attorney, William Pernik, said his client will fight the charges in court rather than in the press.