Former OpenAI Engineer Detained Over Alleged Spying, FBI Finds 'Saudi Gov Docs' Folder

Image: Ars Technica · Source

A former OpenAI engineer accused of espionage for Saudi Arabia remains detained amid concerns he planned to flee. FBI discovered a 'Saudi Gov Docs' folder on his device, linking him to Saudi officials during secret recordings at OpenAI.

Abdulrahman Alfozan, a former engineer at OpenAI, has been detained by US authorities following allegations that he planted covert recording devices in OpenAI conference rooms to steal sensitive information. The FBI discovered a folder labeled "Saudi Gov Docs" on Alfozan's iPhone, alongside photos of an additional hidden bug he had apparently placed within OpenAI’s offices.

Court filings reveal that Alfozan communicated via WhatsApp with a member of the Saudi royal family and was actively pursuing opportunities to relocate permanently to Saudi Arabia amid the country’s significant investment in artificial intelligence under its Vision 2030 initiative. Authorities contend that Alfozan booked a one-way ticket to Riyadh for himself, his wife, and their infant child, which was reportedly paid for by the Saudi government. Following his arrest, his family fled the US, with his wife and son departing on a business-class flight paid for by a Saudi military member.

The US government alleges that Alfozan exploited OpenAI’s internal productivity tools and his wife’s ChatGPT account to research strategic meeting rooms for planting bugs and to engineer recording devices with remote access and voice-activation capabilities. Notably, a covert device was active during high-level meetings involving US government officials, posing national security concerns.

Having been employed in Silicon Valley technology roles since 2009 and holding technical degrees from MIT and UC Berkeley, Alfozan was hired by OpenAI in mid-2025 with a substantial salary and equity grant. Evidence points to his espionage activities commencing shortly after his hiring.

The US fears Alfozan’s significant means, including Saudi bank accounts and government backing, make him a flight risk. The prosecution referenced parallels to prior cases involving Twitter employees accused of spying for Saudi Arabia, some of whom escaped with assistance from Saudi officials.

Despite seizure of his Saudi passport, prosecutors argued that Alfozan could still obtain travel documents and abscond if released. Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse has ruled to keep Alfozan detained pending trial.

While Alfozan currently faces charges related to illegal recordings with a maximum five-year sentence, authorities have indicated that more serious indictments may arise as the investigation continues. The case underscores the tensions between US national security concerns and Saudi Arabia's expanding AI ambitions.