OpenAI worker accused of bugging booked flight to Saudi Arabia

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 00:02 · Archive

An OpenAI employee charged with installing a recording device in an executive conference room had booked a one-way ticket to Saudi Arabia before his arrest.

Abdulrahman Alfozan, a Saudi national, has been charged with secretly installing a recording device in an executive conference room at OpenAI. Federal prosecutors revealed in a court filing that Alfozan, his wife and a third family member had booked one-way tickets from San Francisco to Saudi Arabia via Istanbul for 12 October, before his arrest on 9 October. The U.S. Attorney's Office in San Francisco said in its filing that Alfozan 'has the means — and will have the incentive — to flee the United States sooner if he learns about this case before he is arrested'.

Alfozan, 35, is a venture partner at Raed Ventures, a Saudi Arabian venture capital firm that lists a member of the Saudi royal family as a fellow partner. According to his biography on Raed's website, he 'currently serves as Engineering Lead at OpenAI, with a focus on AI Agents and the data platform'. He joined Raed Ventures in February 2025. His defence lawyer said on Wednesday that Alfozan came to America years ago 'as a young person with a dream', without elaborating on the charges.

How it is being reported

• OpenAI employee accused of bugging office booked one-way ticket to Saudi ArabiaNewly unsealed court filings say Abdulrahman Alfozan, his wife and a third family member had booked travel for October 12Financial Times · 14 Oct, 23:19
• OpenAI bugging suspect booked one-way ticket to Saudi Arabia with family before arrest"Like countless Americans, Mr. Alfozan came to this country years ago as a young person with a dream," his criminal defense lawyer said Wednesday.CNBC · 14 Oct, 22:18

In this story: Abdulrahman Alfozan · OpenAI · Saudi Arabia · Raed Ventures · San Francisco

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