FBI arrests California woman for spying on Taiwan president's son for China

October 5, 2026 at 06:56 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The FBI arrested Wanying Zhang, 34, of Irvine, California, at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday, charging her with acting as an unregistered foreign agent. Zhang surveilled a son of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and sent photos, video, and license plate information to Chinese officials, the Justice Department said. She will appear in a Los Angeles federal court on Monday.

Key Facts

Wanying Zhang, 34, of Irvine, California, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday before her planned departure to China.
Zhang is charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent for surveilling a son of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.
The Justice Department said Zhang traveled to Seattle in 2025 at the direction of Chinese officials and sent them photos, video, and license plate information of the Taiwanese leader's son and his family.
Zhang will appear in a Los Angeles federal court on Monday, according to Bill Essayli, first assistant US attorney for the Central District of California.

Arrest and Charges

The FBI arrested Wanying Zhang, also known as Heather, at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday before her planned departure to China. Zhang, 34, of Irvine, California, is charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent. The FBI said Zhang surveilled a son of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, later identified by the New York Post as Lai Ting-yu, a US resident. Bill Essayli, first assistant US attorney for the Central District of California, said Zhang used tradecraft to avoid detection and never notified Washington that she was acting for a foreign government.

Surveillance Activities

The Justice Department said Zhang traveled to Seattle in 2025 at the direction of Chinese officials. She subsequently sent them photos, video, and license plate information of the Taiwanese leader's son and his family. The Chinese embassy in Washington and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It was not immediately clear whether Zhang has a defense attorney.