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 an announcement. Authorities charged Zhang, 34, of Irvine, California, with appearing as an unregistered international agent.
Zhang surveilled a son of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, the FBI stated. The company didn’t immediately title Zhang’s alleged goal, however later shared a New York Publish report figuring out him as Lai Ting-yu, a US resident.
The Justice Division stated Zhang travelled to Seattle in 2025 on the course of Chinese language officers and subsequently despatched them images, 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 appearing for a international authorities, Invoice Essayli, the primary assistant US lawyer for the Central District of California, stated in an announcement.
