The FBI is examining whether to bring economic espionage charges against former OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan, who was arrested this month for allegedly planting a recording device inside the company’s offices.
Investigators are looking into whether he planned to offer confidential information to the Saudi government.
What Happened
Alfozan, 35, is a Saudi national and a US permanent resident. He was arrested earlier this month after allegedly hiding a listening device in a restricted conference room at OpenAI.
The Wall Street Journal reported the new details of the investigation on Saturday.
A still image from surveillance video included in the charging document shows a man identified as Alfozan looking behind a television in the room.
Prosecutors say that is where the device was placed.
Why Economic Espionage Charges Are Under Consideration
According to a law enforcement official cited by the Wall Street Journal, investigators want to know whether Alfozan was gathering confidential information to offer to Saudi Arabia.
They are also looking at whether he may have done so on his own initiative, without being recruited by the Saudi government.
Authorities are also weighing trade secret theft charges. The investigation may not lead to any additional prosecution, and no such charges have been filed.
Why Investigators Suspect a Saudi Link
Prosecutors say OpenAI employee Alfozan exchanged WhatsApp messages with Saudi royal before hidden device discovery.
Saudi Royal Told OpenAI Employee Alfozan writing, “Saudi needs you more then [sic] the US!”
An October 5, 2026, security video frame captures Saudi engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan checking behind a television where a secret listening device had been planted inside an OpenAI office.
OpenAI employee Alfozan reportedly told Saudi royal contact he would remain at company until shares vested before recording device was found
Prosecutors allege OpenAI employee Alfozan answered “100” to Saudi AI recruitment offer while waiting for company shares to vest
The Device, Current Charge, and Next Steps
Prosecutors allege Alfozan hid a small circuit board and a microphone behind the television.
The conference room is mainly used by OpenAI executives, which makes the location sensitive.
For now, he faces a single federal charge of unlawfully intercepting communications, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. His next court appearance is set for November 6.
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