A 35-year-old Saudi engineer working at OpenAI has been arrested and charged with trying to tap into confidential meetings by placing secret recording devices in executive conference rooms, according to federal prosecutors.
Abdulrahman Alfozan, originally from Saudi Arabia, was taken into custody on Friday. The initial investigation revealed that OpenAI found a hidden audio recording device concealed with toilet paper in a USB port on the back of a conference room TV.
Photographic evidence in court documents highlights the suspicious placement of this object. Another image presented shows the device featuring branding from Seeed Studio, a company known for AI recording technology.
The meetings held in that specific conference room were reportedly focused on sensitive topics, including proprietary research and technical capabilities of OpenAI, as well as its connections with the government.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured Alfozan around the conference area multiple times, even though he lacked the authority to enter or participate in those discussions. He has been a part of the AI company, based in San Francisco, since July 2025.
Scott Schelble, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Francisco Field Office, mentioned, “Any attempt to illicitly obtain protected information from U.S. super intelligence and technology companies is a threat to both American innovation and national security interests.”
Reports indicate that Alfozan used chatbots to plan his alleged recording efforts, inquiring about OpenAI’s building locations, meeting room sizes, and schedules. He even sought details about where company leaders would be present.
Additionally, a chatbot account linked to his wife was said to have included questions on how to install and conceal such audio devices.
On October 5, a photo allegedly showed Alfozan entering the conference room for a closer look at the recording device. Around this same time, OpenAI security uncovered another similar device in Alfozan’s unattended bag.
If convicted, Alfozan could face a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. This case arises during a competitive era of AI development among the U.S., China, and other nations. The U.S. aims to protect its technological advantages from potential adversaries.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the importance of safeguarding American innovation in super intelligence, labeling it a top counterintelligence priority. An OpenAI spokesperson stated there was no evidence of Alfozan improperly accessing or taking any proprietary data, and he was subsequently fired.
OpenAI noted, “We take the protection of our technology, data, and people seriously. Our security program is designed to defend against various threats, and this incident highlights how AI can assist in addressing sophisticated security challenges.”
