Saudi OpenAI engineer accused of spying on executive meetings, second recording device found in bag
A 35-year-old OpenAI engineer has been arrested in the United States after investigators allegedly linked him to a concealed audio recorder discovered inside a conference room used for sensitive executive discussions, including confidential artificial intelligence research and company strategy.
Abdulrahman Alfozan, a Saudi Arabian national, was taken into custody on October 9 and appeared before a federal court on October 13, according to the US Department of Justice (DOJ).
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He faces a federal charge of using or attempting to use an electronic device to intercept oral communications. If convicted, he could receive a maximum prison sentence of five years and a fine of $250,000.
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The case has drawn the attention of senior US intelligence officials, who have described the protection of advanced artificial intelligence technology as a national security priority.
Hidden device discovered behind television
According to the criminal complaint, OpenAI employees discovered an encrypted audio recording device connected to a USB port behind a television in an executive conference room at the company’s San Francisco office on September 30.
The device had been concealed in toilet paper and was believed to have been installed around September 28.
Investigators said the conference room frequently hosted meetings that involved proprietary research, product plans, business opportunities, government engagements and sensitive updates on the company’s technological capabilities.
Alfozan, who had worked as an engineer at OpenAI since July 2025, was allegedly seen near the executive conference room on several occasions despite having no authorisation to access it or attend meetings there.
Surveillance footage also reportedly captured him entering the room on October 5 and appearing to inspect the area behind the television.
Chatbot searches and second recorder deepen investigation
Federal investigators also identified a series of internal searches that they believe could be connected to the alleged surveillance attempt.
Before September 28, Alfozan reportedly used a workplace productivity tool to look up executive meeting locations, conference room capacities, company addresses, and meeting calendars.
More significantly, investigators discovered that a chatbot account associated with his spouse had submitted queries about creating continuous audio recorders, configuring wireless connectivity, enabling remote listening and encrypting storage cards.
The account shared several identifiers with Alfozan’s own chatbot account, according to the complaint.
Investigators said some of the queries specifically concerned technical identifiers associated with the recording device later recovered from the conference room.
Authorities also alleged that Alfozan left a bag unattended in another room on October 5. When OpenAI security personnel examined it, they discovered his wallet, identification documents, and a second recording device similar to the one found behind the television.
FBI calls protection of AI research a national security priority
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel said the allegations involved an attempt to secretly capture sensitive company discussions.
“According to the complaint unsealed today, Abdulrahman Alfozan allegedly concealed a covert recording device inside his employer’s executive conference room to secretly capture sensitive communications about the company’s super intelligence technology,” Patel said in a statement issued on October 13.
Patel said safeguarding American advances in artificial intelligence remained a major counterintelligence priority because of their importance to the country’s economy and national security.
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton also linked the incident to Washington’s efforts to protect sensitive technological developments.
Clayton said the case highlighted the importance of protecting American intellectual property from foreign threats and underscored the Trump administration’s emphasis on maintaining US leadership in advanced artificial intelligence.
US Attorney Craig H Missakian, who heads the Northern District of California, said federal authorities would continue pursuing cases involving alleged attempts to obtain protected technology.
“For us it is a matter of national security,” Missakian said.
Court hearing scheduled for October 19
Alfozan remains in federal custody and is scheduled to appear before US Magistrate Judge Alex G Tse on October 19 for a detention hearing.
The case is being investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by the National Security, Cyber and Special Prosecutions Section of the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California.
Federal authorities have not established publicly whether the alleged recording attempt resulted in the successful capture or disclosure of confidential OpenAI information.
The criminal complaint contains allegations that have yet to be proven in court, and Alfozan is presumed innocent unless convicted.
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