FBI Weighs Espionage Charge in OpenAI Bugging Case

Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old Saudi national and former OpenAI engineer, may face an additional federal charge of economic espionage. A law enforcement official told The Wall Street Journal that the FBI is evaluating whether to add this count to his existing indictment. The potential new charge would allege that Alfozan stole company information to provide to the Saudi government, a move that could occur even if he was not formally recruited as a spy.

Alfozan joined OpenAI in July 2025 after working at Meta and other technology firms. He studied computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. According to federal complaints, he maintained frequent WhatsApp communications with an unnamed member of the Saudi royal family throughout 2025 and 2026. The royal family member attempted to recruit Alfozan for a new Saudi AI initiative, telling him in a message that Saudi Arabia needed him more than the United States did. Alfozan replied with the number 100 but stated he would not leave until his OpenAI stock vested. Prosecutors note that their last recorded communication was on October 5, the same day Alfozan allegedly visited the conference room to check his recording device.

The device was a thumb-sized unit containing a microphone and camera. Alfozan allegedly wrapped it in toilet paper and plugged it behind a television in a San Francisco office meeting room used primarily by executives. OpenAI discovered the device during a security sweep on September 30. The company removed the hardware and subsequently alerted the FBI. Alfozan was arrested earlier this month. He is currently charged with violating a federal recording statute, a crime that carries a maximum prison sentence of five years upon conviction.

William Pernik, Alfozan's attorney, stated that his client has not received official notice of any additional charges from the government. OpenAI is currently determining whether the incident constitutes corporate espionage or state-sponsored spying. A source familiar with the investigation noted that the probe may not result in further charges. The Saudi embassy in Washington and OpenAI have not issued public comments regarding the case.

Alfozan's next court hearing is scheduled for November 6. Last week, Judge Alex Tse ordered Alfozan detained without bail. The judge cited a substantial risk of flight and described the Saudi Consulate in Los Angeles's offer to pay the full bail amount as problematic. Alfozan is a legal permanent resident of the United States.