Saudi Engineer Arrested by FBI for Allegedly Plugging Tissue-Wrapped Listening Device into OpenAI Executive Conference Room TV

WASHINGTON

An encrypted audio recording device wrapped in tissue paper was discovered in a USB port on the back of a television inside an OpenAI executive conference room, leading the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to arrest Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, a Saudi Arabian national and an engineer at the company. The U.S. Department of Justice announced on October 13 that Alfozan had been charged with using or endeavoring to use an electronic, mechanical, or other device to intercept oral communications. Alfozan was arrested on October 9 and made his initial appearance in federal court on October 13. These charges are merely allegations contained in a criminal complaint, and he has not been convicted.

Recording Device Wrapped in Tissue Paper Found Behind Executive Conference Room TV

According to the criminal complaint released by the U.S. Department of Justice, OpenAI employees discovered a surreptitious audio recording device ("Recording Device 1") plugged into a USB port on the back of a television in an executive conference room at its San Francisco headquarters on or around September 30. OpenAI determined that the device was wrapped in tissue paper, had been installed on or around September 28, and contained encrypted internal data.

According to the complaint, meetings held in this room frequently involved confidential information, including proprietary research, product planning, and business development opportunities, as well as non-public information concerning OpenAI's technical advancements, strategic decisions, government consultations, and commercial relationships. The U.S. Department of Justice stated that Alfozan had been employed as an engineer at OpenAI since July 2025. The company was identified as "Company 1" in the complaint, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California confirmed that Company 1 is San Francisco-headquartered OpenAI.

Alfozan lacked authorization to access the room. The device had been installed on or around September 28 and remained plugged in behind the television until its discovery two days later. OpenAI office closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage captured Alfozan in the vicinity of the executive conference room over several days prior to the device's discovery, and the U.S. Department of Justice stated that he was also not authorized to attend meetings held in the conference room.

Searches for OpenAI Building Addresses and Executive Schedules Prior to Installation Detailed in Complaint

Citing the complaint, the U.S. Department of Justice stated that prior to September 28, Alfozan used work-issued tools on multiple occasions to submit queries concerning OpenAI building addresses, conference rooms, room capacities and schedules, the locations of "leadership and executives," and meetings with external partners.

Investigators focused on a chatbot account linked to Alfozan's spouse. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, this account shared multiple identifiers and attributes with Alfozan's own chatbot account. Between September 24 and September 30, queries were submitted through this account regarding building, customizing, installing, recording, testing, concealing, and remotely accessing the device. The queries included "making a continuous recorder," "customizing Wi-Fi connections," "improving sound quality and real-time listening," and "encrypting SD cards." Between September 27 and September 28, the same account also submitted queries regarding custom headers and the unique MAC address of Recording Device 1.

The U.S. Department of Justice stated that Alfozan returned to the area even after installing the device. According to the complaint, Alfozan entered the executive conference room on October 5 and appeared to inspect the back of the television where the device had been plugged in, an action captured on CCTV.

Second Recording Device Found on Same Day in Bag Left in Another Room

The U.S. Department of Justice stated that on October 5, Alfozan left a backpack unattended in another room within the OpenAI building. When OpenAI security personnel opened the backpack, they found Alfozan's wallet and identification alongside a second recording device ("Recording Device 2") similar to Recording Device 1.

Alfozan was arrested on October 9. The U.S. Department of Justice stated that Alfozan has remained in federal custody since his arrest and had a detention hearing scheduled for October 19 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse.

He is charged with violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 2511(1)(b). If convicted, he faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California emphasized that a complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Any actual sentence will be determined by the court following consideration of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Parker for the Northern District of California is prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Kate Tagert of the U.S. Department of Justice National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

DOJ Frames Prosecution Around Supporting Policy to Secure Super Intelligence Primacy

The U.S. Department of Justice stated that this prosecution supports National Security Presidential Memorandum 11 (NSPM-11), which aims to sustain American primacy in super intelligence. Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton said in the DOJ release, "This serious incident demonstrates why winning the global super intelligence race is an urgent national security imperative, and why President Trump created and is leading the Super Intelligence Force." Clayton thanked FBI Director Kash Patel and FBI partners for their "swift action" and noted that the intelligence community remains dedicated to safeguarding America's leading-edge intellectual property against foreign threats.

On the day the complaint was unsealed, Director Patel alleged that Alfozan concealed a recording device inside his employer's executive conference room to secretly capture sensitive communications regarding super intelligence technology. Patel stated that protecting American super intelligence innovation is one of the FBI's highest counterintelligence priorities. U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian for the Northern District of California said the Bay Area and Silicon Valley drive tomorrow's technological advancements, adding that the arrest demonstrates the U.S. Attorney's Office's dedication to locating and prosecuting those who attempt to steal technology. Missakian noted that the matter is an issue of national security.

The U.S. Department of Justice National Security Division (@DOJNatSec) shared news of the case on X on the same day as the DOJ announcement.

Attorney General Todd Blanche stated on X, "This alleged attempt by a Saudi national to steal sensitive communications from OpenAI was taken extremely seriously. Theft of intellectual property involving cutting-edge super intelligence technology poses a serious threat to our national security." Attorney General Blanche added that the Department will continue to act swiftly alongside federal law enforcement partners and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to protect American innovation and the nation.

Director Patel also posted on X the same day that the FBI and partners had arrested the individual. Patel thanked Director Clayton, Attorney General Blanche, and law enforcement partners, noting that the investigation remains ongoing.

Sources (KST)

• U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs, "Saudi National Arrested for Installing Surreptitious Audio Recording Device at OpenAI" (October 13, 2026, updated October 19): https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/saudi-national-arrested-installing-surreptitious-audio-recording-device-openai
• U.S. Department of Justice U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California, "Saudi National Arrested For Installing Surreptitious Audio Recording Device At OpenAI In San Francisco" (October 13, 2026): https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/saudi-national-arrested-installing-surreptitious-audio-recording-device-openai-san
• U.S. Department of Justice National Security Division X post: https://x.com/DOJNatSec/status/2110113880156352754
• Attorney General Todd Blanche X post: https://x.com/AGToddBlanche/status/2110137332544295116
• FBI Director Kash Patel X post: https://x.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/2110109949359751665