WASHINGTON: US authorities arrested a California girl on Sunday (Oct 4) and accused her of spying on a son of Taiwan’s president on the behest of Chinese language officers, the FBI stated.
The FBI arrested Wanying Zhang, often known as Heather, at Los Angeles Worldwide Airport on Sunday earlier than her deliberate departure to China, the company stated in a press release. Authorities charged Zhang, 34, of Irvine, California, with performing as an unregistered overseas agent.
Zhang surveilled a son of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, the FBI stated. The company didn’t immediately identify Zhang’s alleged goal, however later shared a New York Put up report figuring out him as Lai Ting-yu, a US resident.
The Justice Division stated Zhang travelled to Seattle in 2025 on the path of Chinese language officers and subsequently despatched them pictures, video and license plate info of the Taiwanese chief’s son and his household.
Zhang used tradecraft to keep away from detection and by no means notified Washington that she was performing for a overseas authorities, Invoice Essayli, the primary assistant US legal professional for the Central District of California, stated in a press release.
