FBI probes OpenAI engineer over hidden mic and Saudi contacts

Abdulrahman Alfozan is currently facing a federal charge of unlawfully intercepting communications, a crime punishable by up to five years in prison. The FBI is determining whether to add economic espionage charges to this count based on his actions at OpenAI.

Alfozan, a 35-year-old Saudi national and US permanent resident, allegedly concealed a small circuit board and microphone behind a television in a conference room. That space was primarily used by OpenAI executives. He was arrested earlier this month for the placement of the device.

Prosecutors say Alfozan exchanged frequent WhatsApp messages with an unidentified member of the Saudi royal family during 2025 and 2026. The royal family member allegedly tried to recruit him for a Saudi artificial intelligence initiative. A message from that contact read, 'Saudi needs you more then [sic] the US!' Alfozan responded with '100' but stated he intended to stay at OpenAI until his company shares vested.

The last known exchange between Alfozan and the royal family member occurred on October 5. On that same day, Alfozan allegedly returned to the conference room to retrieve the recording device. OpenAI security staff had already found and removed the equipment before he arrived, then notified the FBI.

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 identified the official as the wife's brother-in-law and argued 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. The consulate offered to cover Alfozan's entire bail bond. The judge called the offer a 'blank check' and noted that it seemed like the consulate was willing to pay whatever the court requested to secure his release.

Judge Tse denied bail, determining that Alfozan posed a flight risk. His attorney, William Pernik, said the family had received no indication that additional charges were being considered. Pernik stated that Alfozan will fight the charges and allegations in court rather than in the press. OpenAI is currently examining what information the device may have captured and whether the incident involved corporate espionage or state-sponsored intelligence gathering.