A California realtor was detained for reportedly spying on a Taiwanese official’s family for Beijing. Federal authorities announced the arrest Sunday at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as Wanying Zhang attempted to leave for China.
The 34-year-old Irvine resident, also known as “Heather,” collaborated with an associate to surveil the family outside their Seattle home. This information comes from a criminal complaint obtained by Fox News Digital. According to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, federal agents apprehended Zhang at LAX as she tried to board a flight to China.
We just arrested a Chinese foreign agent at LAX attempting to depart for China,Essayli wrote. The charges include acting as an unregistered agent of the People’s Republic of China.
In 2025, Zhang allegedly followed instructions from Chinese officials to travel to Seattle. She sent them photos, videos, and license plate information of the family.
Details of the Surveillance
Essayli explained that Zhang, a naturalized U.S. citizen, targeted a relative of Taiwan’s president with her surveillance activities. On “The Big Weekend Show,” Essayli stated that agents arrested Zhang as she prepared to board a plane to Shanghai.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the U.S. stance against such espionage activities, saying the FBI will pursue threats to national security and bring them to justice.
Foreign adversaries take note: America is no longer a safe place to run your espionage operations,Patel declared.
The targeted individual was reportedly Ting-Yu Lai, the son of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te living in the U.S. Zhang allegedly communicated with a Chinese government contact, indicating she was recording and gathering details outside the home.
The Covert Operation
Zhang and her associate traveled from Las Vegas to Seattle in September 2025. They rented a vehicle, positioned near the family home, and conducted their surveillance. Security footage captured their activities, which included photographing or recording the family’s movements.
Information provided by Zhang in audio messages detailed plans to send surveillance images via AirDrop, avoiding traditional communication methods to prevent detection. Despite efforts to destroy evidence, authorities collected sufficient information to support the charges.
Implications and Broader Context
The surveillance assignment allegedly stemmed from a meeting in China earlier in 2025, where Zhang offered to carry out the operation. FBI Special Agent Kevin Holt noted that such surveillance actions provide potential leverage over Taiwan’s government, highlighting unusual diplomatic practices.
Essayli warned that similar espionage activities are happening nationwide, not solely in California. Zhang is due in federal court in Los Angeles, with the reminder that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This arrest follows another case involving former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang, charged with acting as an agent for China to promote pro-Beijing propaganda. Fox News continues seeking comments from the FBI and the Justice Department.