Ex-OpenAI Engineer Faces Spy Scrutiny Over Hidden Mic and Saudi Texts

Federal agents are evaluating whether to charge Abdulrahman Alfozan with economic espionage. Alfozan, a former engineer at the artificial intelligence firm OpenAI, was arrested earlier this month. The move comes after investigators discovered a concealed microphone in a restricted company space.

Law enforcement officials say the probe centers on whether Alfozan acquired confidential data to pass to the Saudi government. This is true even if he was not formally recruited for the task. Prosecutors are also reviewing potential trade secret theft counts. However, the investigation may not result in additional prosecutions.

Alfozan, a 35-year-old Saudi national and US permanent resident, allegedly hid a small circuit board and microphone behind a television. The device was placed in a conference room primarily used by OpenAI executives. He currently faces a federal charge of unlawfully intercepting communications. The offense carries a maximum prison sentence of five years.

Court records show Alfozan exchanged frequent WhatsApp messages with an unidentified member of the Saudi royal family in 2025 and 2026. The royal contact attempted to recruit Alfozan for a Saudi AI initiative. One message read, 'Saudi needs you more then the US!' Alfozan replied, '100.' He indicated he would stay at OpenAI until his company shares vested. The last known message exchange occurred on October 5.

On that same day, Alfozan allegedly returned to the conference room to retrieve the device. OpenAI security staff had already found and removed it. The company then notified the FBI. Alfozan is scheduled to appear in court on November 6.

Prosecutors noted that Alfozan purchased one-way tickets to Saudi Arabia via Istanbul for himself, his wife, and their infant son. He was arrested three days before the planned departure. His wife and son later traveled to Qatar on business-class tickets. Prosecutors say a Saudi military official purchased those tickets. Defense attorney William Pernik stated the official is 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. The consulate offered to cover Alfozan's entire bail bond. Judge Tse called the offer a blank check. Alfozan was denied bail due to flight risk. His attorney, William Pernik, said the client intends to fight the charges in court. Pernik added that Alfozan had received no indication of additional charges. OpenAI is currently examining what data the device captured and whether the incident involved corporate espionage or state-sponsored intelligence gathering.