California realtor nabbed at LAX in alleged China spy case targeting Taiwan presidents relative

A California realtor accused of spying on a Taiwanese officials family for Beijing was arrested at LAX as she tried to leave for China, federal authorities announced Sunday.

Wanying Zhang, 34, of Irvine, also known as "Heather," allegedly worked with an associate to photograph and record the family outside their Seattle-area home, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Fox News Digital.

"We just arrested a Chinese foreign agent at LAX attempting to depart for China," First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli wrote on X.

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Essayli said FBI Los Angeles agents arrested Zhang on a federal charge of acting as an unregistered agent of the Peoples Republic of China.

She allegedly traveled to Seattle in 2025 at the direction of Chinese officials and sent them photos, videos and license plate information.

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

Speaking on "The Big Weekend Show" Sunday, Essayli said Zhang is a naturalized U.S. citizen and confirmed the alleged surveillance targeted a relative of Taiwans president.

"She was conducting surveillance on behalf of the Chinese government. She was acting as a foreign agent," Essayli said. "And she was spying on a relative of the president of Taiwan here in the U.S."

He said agents arrested her as she tried to board a flight to Shanghai.

FBI Director Kash Patel also issued a warning to foreign adversaries following Zhangs arrest.

"Foreign adversaries take note: America is no longer a safe place to run your espionage operations," Patel said.

"Allegedly surveil a foreign leaders family on U.S. soil for the PRC — and try to catch a flight back to Shanghai? Not happening."

"This FBI is hunting threats to our national security wherever they hide — and bringing them to justice," he added.

The alleged target was Ting-Yu Lai, the U.S.-based son of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, CBS News reported, citing law enforcement sources. The complaint does not name him.

"Saw him. Young male. Its that young one," Zhang allegedly messaged a Chinese government contact while outside the home.

"I am videorecording," she allegedly added before sending two license plate numbers.

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Zhang and her associate allegedly flew from Las Vegas to Seattle on Sept. 1, 2025, rented a black Nissan Rogue and waited near the familys home.

When the target returned, a neighbors security camera captured the pair quickly sitting up and holding out what appeared to be phones to photograph or record the family, according to the affidavit. Family members, including children, arrived shortly afterward.

"While individual 1 took pictures, Zhang reclined her seat as if to avoid being seen," FBI Special Agent Kevin Holt