Wanying “Heather” Zhang, a 34-year-old California realtor, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after federal investigators accused her of acting as an unregistered agent for the Chinese government and allegedly surveilling the son of Taiwan’s president.
She is accused of acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. Zhang lives in Irvine, California , and works as a licensed real estate agent with JC Pacific Capital Inc. She is married to Edric Ding, who also works as a realtor at the same firm. Zhang also studied at Beijing’s University of International Relations. They allegedly rented a black Nissan Rogue and drove to a home linked to Ting-Yu Lai, the son of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te. Investigators also allege Zhang sent messages to a Chinese government contact saying she had seen Lai and was recording him. Investigators also allege that Zhang was in contact with at least two people she appeared to acknowledge worked for the Chinese government. The agency did not directly name Zhang’s alleged target, but later shared a New York Post report identifying him as Lai Ting-yu, a U.S. resident.
Zhang was arrested on October 4, 2026, as she was preparing to board a flight from LAX to Shanghai. Her Zillow profile lists about 130 sales and listings in the Los Angeles area and neighboring counties, according to CBS News. A former classmate from the university introduced her to a Chinese government official in June 2025, according to the federal complaint. Earlier reporting noted: U.S. accuses California woman of spying for China, surveilling Taiwan leader’s son U.S. authorities arrested a California woman on Sunday (October 4, 2026) and accused her of spying on a son of Taiwan’s President at the behest of Chinese officials, the FBI said. Earlier reporting noted: The FBI arrested Wanying Zhang, also known as Heather, at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday (October 4) before her planned departure to China, the agency said in a statement. Authorities charged Zhang, 34, of Irvine, California, with acting as an unregistered foreign agent.
When CBS News contacted Ding following Zhang’s arrest, he said, “I don’t know anything yet,” and declined to comment further. FBI Special Agent Kevin Holt said the university has close ties to China’s Ministry of State Security. Zhang and a man identified as “Individual 1” traveled from Las Vegas to Seattle on September 1, 2025, according to the criminal complaint. The complaint says she also sent two vehicle license plate numbers. The FBI says the messages were obtained through a search warrant for Zhang’s iCloud account. Earlier reporting noted: Zhang surveiled a son of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, the FBI said.
