US realtor, 34, arrested by FBI for allegedly spying on Taiwan president's son
She staked out his house and took pictures of him and his cars.
In October 2026, the FBI arrested a 34-year-old realtor named Zhang Wanying, also known as "Heather," at Los Angeles International Airport. She was accused of attempting to board a flight to Shanghai, allegedly as part of a Chinese espionage operation. According to the FBI, Zhang and her accomplice had traveled to Seattle in September 2025 to surveil the home of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's son, Lai Ting Yu, who resides in the United States.
The FBI alleges that Zhang sent photos, videos, and license plate information of Lai Ting Yu and his family to her handlers in China via the messaging app WeChat. She was reportedly introduced to the Chinese officials through a classmate from her university in Beijing. Zhang will appear in federal court in Los Angeles on October 5, 2026, to face charges of acting as an unregistered agent of the People's Republic of China.
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Also reported by 3 other outlets
- FBI arrests woman accused of spying on Taiwanese president's family in the US for China euronews.com
- US accuses California woman of spying on Taiwan president's son for China abc.net.au
- ‘Saw him, young male’: US realtor's 'creepy' texts expose China's bid to spy on Taiwan President’s son hindustantimes.com
