California realtor accused of surveilling Taiwan president’s son for China arrested at LAX

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Wanying 'Heather' Zhang, a 34-year-old woman from Irvine, was arrested by the FBI at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday, October 4, as she allegedly attempted to board a flight to Shanghai, according to a federal complaint and reports.

Zhang is accused of acting as an unregistered agent of the People’s Republic of China and allegedly conducting surveillance on the son of Taiwan’s president.

Wanying 'Heather' Zhang accused of spying on Taiwan president’s son

Zhang allegedly traveled to Seattle in September 2025 to surveil Ting-Yu Lai, an engineer in his 30s who works for electronics company Philips, according to the complaint.

Federal prosecutors allege that she coordinated the operation with an associate and sent photographs, videos and license plate information to individuals believed to be Chinese government officials.

According to the federal complaint, Zhang allegedly communicated with two individuals believed to be Chinese government officials through WeChat.

Investigators reportedly obtained the communications from her iCloud account, with the messages detailing tasks that eventually led to the surveillance operation in Seattle.

In one exchange from September 2025, Zhang allegedly told an individual believed to be a Chinese government official that she had seen the Taiwanese president’s son.

The official allegedly asked whether she was available for an audio call, but Zhang responded that she was recording a video of him.

At the time, Zhang was allegedly outside the residence in Seattle. Surveillance images cited in the complaint reportedly show her sitting inside a vehicle and photographing the residence and its surroundings.

Messages reveal alleged links to Chinese officials

The alleged communications between Zhang and individuals believed to be Chinese officials reportedly began years before the Seattle surveillance operation.

According to the complaint, exchanges dating back to September 2022 included discussions about children, investments and differences between the US and China.

In one conversation, Zhang allegedly asked an individual which bureau within a ministry they worked for.

In March 2025, Zhang allegedly told the same individual that she planned to travel to Beijing, prompting a discussion about meeting there.

Communications reportedly continued into June, including discussions about Zhang meeting an alleged Chinese official in the US.

Prosecutor alleges Zhang used covert surveillance tactics

First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said Zhang allegedly acted at the direction of Chinese officials and used methods intended to conceal her activities.

“According to the affidavit, Zhang traveled to Seattle in 2025 and, at the direction of PRC officials, surveilled a close relative of a Taiwanese government official, sending photos, videos, and license plate information to those officials,” Essayli said.

“She coordinated the trip with an associate and used tradecraft to avoid detection. She never notified the Attorney General she was acting for a foreign government, a federal offense.”

Zhang, who reportedly worked for a real estate firm with her husband, Edric Ding, is expected to appear in federal court in Los Angeles on Monday for her initial appearance. It was not immediately clear whether she had an attorney who could comment on the allegations.

The FBI and federal prosecutors have not released further details about the case.