Woman accused of spying for China

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6dDHyjafgs

A California woman accused of working as an agent for the Chinese government was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport just before she was scheduled to fly to China, federal prosecutors say.

Wanying “Heather” Zhang, 34, an Irvine-based real estate agent, was taken into custody by FBI agents on Oct. 4. She is charged with acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.

Prosecutors allege Zhang conducted surveillance in Seattle targeting the son of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and his family.

Alleged Surveillance in Seattle

According to a federal criminal complaint, Zhang traveled from Las Vegas to Seattle in September 2025 with another person and rented a vehicle.

Investigators say the pair went to a suburban Seattle neighborhood and photographed and recorded the Taiwanese president’s son, his wife and their child as they arrived home.

The complaint alleges Zhang also sent Chinese officials photographs, video and vehicle license-plate information connected to the family.

The FBI identified the alleged target as Lai Ting-yu, who lives in the United States.

Messages Allegedly Sent to Chinese Officials

Federal investigators say Zhang communicated with people she believed were connected to the Chinese government.

According to the complaint, investigators recovered messages from her iCloud account in which Zhang allegedly reported seeing the target and said she was recording him. She also allegedly provided license plate numbers to her contacts.

The FBI says Zhang was introduced to a Chinese government official in 2025 and later agreed to carry out the surveillance mission.

Investigators allege she was instructed to gather information that could potentially be useful to Chinese authorities.

Why the Family Was Targeted

The FBI's complaint says photographs of the Taiwanese president's close relatives, including their homes and vehicles, could potentially give Chinese authorities leverage over the president during a future conflict.

Taiwan has long been at the center of tensions between Washington and Beijing. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, while Taiwan's government maintains that its future should be determined by its people.

Taiwan's presidential office condemned the alleged operation as an example of “transnational repression” and thanked U.S. authorities for protecting Taiwanese citizens.

Zhang Was Headed to China

Authorities arrested Zhang as she was preparing to board a flight to Shanghai.

She is scheduled to appear in federal court in Los Angeles. It was not immediately clear whether she had an attorney who could speak on her behalf.

Zhang's husband, Edric Ding, who also works in real estate, told CBS News that he did not know anything about the allegations and declined to comment further.

Investigation Continues

The case comes amid heightened U.S. scrutiny of alleged Chinese intelligence and influence operations inside the United States.

Federal authorities have previously prosecuted people accused of conducting surveillance or intimidation operations on behalf of Chinese officials, including cases involving Chinese dissidents and Taiwanese political figures.

For now, the allegations against Zhang remain accusations. Her arrest and criminal complaint do not establish guilt, and the case will have to proceed through the federal court system.

Source: FOX 11 Los Angeles