FBI Arrests Saudi OpenAI Engineer Over Alleged Spy Device Hidden in Executive Conference Room

The FBI has arrested OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, for allegedly planting a covert recording device in the company’s San Francisco office to capture sensitive discussions about artificial intelligence technology.

The Saudi national was arrested on October 9 and made his initial appearance in federal court on October 14, according to the FBI. The allegations centre on a concealed device discovered in an executive conference room during a security sweep.

OpenAI said its team responsible for detecting surveillance equipment found the device on September 30. According to the reports, it used advanced encryption and could monitor audio and transfer data without being detected.

The company alleged that Alfozan planned to install additional recording devices in sensitive areas to secretly capture meetings.

How the Recording Device Was Discovered

OpenAI reportedly said the device had been concealed in toilet paper and installed on or around September 28. Investigators found it inserted into a USB port at the back of a television in an executive conference room inside one of the company’s San Francisco buildings.

The device’s contents were encrypted, according to the company.

OpenAI also said it used its most advanced AI models to help investigators analyse copies of the data stored on the device.

A second recording device, described as similar to the first, was allegedly discovered by OpenAI security personnel in a bag left unattended in another room in one of the company’s buildings on or around October 5.

What the Complaint Alleges Against Abdulrahman Alfozan

The US Department of Justice said Alfozan had worked as an engineer at OpenAI since July 2025.

According to the complaint, he used a productivity tool to make multiple inquiries about the company’s building addresses, meeting rooms, room capacities, calendars and other meetings before September 28.

CCTV footage from the office allegedly showed Alfozan near the executive conference room on multiple dates before the recording device was discovered. The complaint states that he had no authority to access or participate in meetings held in the room.

On September 5, he allegedly entered the conference room and appeared to look behind the television where the device was later found.

The allegations form the basis of the federal case against the engineer. The complaint does not establish guilt, and the claims remain allegations.

FBI Calls Protection of AI Technology a Counterintelligence Priority

FBI Director Kash Patel reportedly said the complaint alleged that Alfozan had concealed a covert recording device in his employer’s executive conference room to capture sensitive communications about the company’s superintelligence technology.

“Protecting American SI innovation is essential to safeguarding our nation’s economic strength and national security, and the FBI views that mission as one of our highest counterintelligence priorities,” Patel reportedly said.

The case centres on allegations of covert surveillance targeting confidential discussions at a company developing advanced AI systems.

Five-Year Prison Term if Convicted

Alfozan faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted, according to the Department of Justice. He could also face three years of supervised release as per reports.

The case follows the discovery of two recording devices in OpenAI’s offices, with investigators examining allegations that the engineer sought to record sensitive meetings without authorisation.