California realtor is arrested at LAX while boarding a flight to China, is accused of spying on Taiwan president's son for Beijing

From the Newshound archive · first published 5 October 2026 · last updated 6 October 2026.

Wanying Zhang, 34, a naturalized US citizen and Irvine real estate agent, was seized by FBI agents at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday before she could board a flight to Shanghai, charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent. Zhang, who used the name Heather, allegedly travelled to Seattle in September 2025 with an accomplice to photograph the home and car of Ting-Yu Lai, son of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, sending licence plate data to Chinese handlers via WeChat. Taiwan's Presidential Office confirmed the president's relatives were targeted, and First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said the arrest was part of a broader Justice Department drive to root out covert Chinese agents on American soil.

WeChat messages found on Zhang's iCloud reportedly show her telling a Chinese official she had spotted the target, saying 'It's that young one.'

An FBI affidavit warns Beijing could use photos and location data on Lai's family to 'obtain leverage over the President of Taiwan during any potential conflict.'

Zhang's husband Edric Ding, also a realtor at the same Orange County firm, said 'I don't know anything yet' when reached by phone on Sunday.