SAN FRANCISCO — Abdulrahman Alfozan made his initial appearance in federal court on Oct. 13, 2026, charged with using or endeavoring to use an electronic, mechanical, or other device to intercept oral communications.

"According to the complaint unsealed today, Abdulrahman Alfozan allegedly concealed a covert recording device inside his employer’s executive conference room to secretly capture sensitive communications about the company’s super intelligence technology," FBI Director Kash Patel said.

Investigators found the device had been concealed in toilet paper and that its contents were encrypted. Alfozan, who had been employed as an engineer by OpenAI since July 2025, had no authority to access or participate in meetings occurring in the executive conference room where highly confidential technical, commercial, and strategic information was frequently discussed.

Prior to Sept. 28, 2026, Alfozan used a productivity tool to make multiple inquiries about OpenAI’s building addresses, meeting rooms, meeting-room capacities and calendars, “leadership and exec” locations, and external partner meetings.

Closed-circuit television footage showed Alfozan appeared near the executive conference room on multiple dates prior to the device’s discovery. On Oct. 5, 2026, he entered the executive conference room and appeared to look behind the television into which the recording device had been inserted. On or about Oct. 5, 2026, Alfozan left a bag unattended in a different room in an OpenAI building. Security personnel found and opened the bag, discovering another recording device similar to the first one inside, along with Alfozan’s wallet and ID.

"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 said. "Thank you to Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton and our law enforcement partners for their support — and we will continue working closely with our partners across the U.S. government and private sector to keep American businesses and citizens safe and to ensure our country maintains its competitive edge."

Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton stated, "This serious situation underscores why winning the global super intelligence race is a national security prerogative — and why President Trump’s leadership in creating the Super Intelligence Force is so important." Clayton also said, "I thank Director Patel and our FBI partners for their diligence and swift action."

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Craig H. Missakian said, "For us it is a matter of national security." He added, "The Bay Area and Silicon Valley lead the world in developing tomorrow’s technology, and our Office will continue to stand at the forefront of protecting that American innovation." Missakian also stated, "This arrest highlights our relentless efforts in partnership with the FBI to identify and prosecute those who seek to steal our technology, as alleged in the complaint."

If convicted, Alfozan faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicolas Parker for the Northern District of California is prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Kate Tagert of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The prosecution is in support of National Security Presidential Memorandum 11 (NSPM-11).

Why It Matters

The case involves OpenAI, an American artificial intelligence research organization, and allegations of stealing technology related to sensitive super-intelligence discussions.

Officials emphasized that "the intelligence community remains committed to safeguarding America’s cutting-edge intellectual property from foreign threats."