A California real estate agent has been arrested at Los Angeles International Airport over allegations that she carried out surveillance for the Chinese government.
Wanying “Heather” Zhang, 34, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Irvine, was taken into custody while allegedly preparing to board a flight to Shanghai. Federal authorities accuse her of acting as an unregistered agent of China.
According to the criminal complaint, Zhang allegedly traveled to the Seattle area in September 2025 with an associate after receiving instructions from Chinese officials. The pair reportedly monitored the home of a relative of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and collected photographs, videos and vehicle license plate information.
Investigators allege Zhang used methods intended to avoid detection and later instructed her associate to transfer surveillance material through AirDrop rather than messaging apps.
Authorities say the alleged assignment originated during a meeting in China in June 2025.
The FBI described the case as a national security concern, while officials emphasized that Zhang is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
