A Southern California real estate agent accused of conducting surveillance for China on behalf of a prominent Taiwanese family allegedly had access to $190,000 in a hidden Chinese cryptocurrency account. At a court hearing Wednesday, prosecutors also raised questions about her family life and suggested she could be an “unfit mother.”
Wanying Zhang appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom in a white jumpsuit and shackles, accompanied by her newly retained attorney, Craig Harbaugh. He requested that she be placed under home confinement, but federal prosecutors strongly opposed the proposal, arguing that Zhang posed a serious flight risk.
Prosecutors claimed Zhang still had access to a secret Chinese crypto account containing about $190,000 and alleged that she continued to receive profits from it. They also cited what they described as her brother’s connections to the Chinese government.
The government further referred to a video recovered from Zhang’s iCloud account, saying it could demonstrate that she was “a danger to society.” Prosecutors also questioned whether her relationships with her family were as strong as they appeared, while her husband, Edric Ding, watched from the courtroom.
“You should have produced this video and I could say she’s an unfit mother,” Judge Steve Kim said after learning that Zhang has “young children.”
Prosecutors also cited roughly a dozen one-way journeys Zhang allegedly made to destinations including China, Paris and Japan. Harbaugh countered that one-way airfare had been the more affordable option.
Judge Kim ultimately determined that Zhang presented a flight risk. US Marshals then took her into custody, and she was denied bail.
Zhang is scheduled to return to court on October 19.
Her first court appearance on Monday was unexpectedly delayed after public defender Chad Pennington requested a private discussion with the judge just seconds after the hearing began. The request resulted in a 20-minute recess.
When the proceedings resumed, the judge asked Zhang whether she understood the accusations against her. She answered, “yes.”
The 34-year-old real estate agent was arrested Sunday at Los Angeles International Airport, where authorities allege she was attempting to board a flight to Shanghai. Zhang, who is also known as “Heather,” is accused of spying for China.
Footage recorded soon after her arrest appeared to show multiple FBI agents escorting Zhang, who was handcuffed, through an airport terminal.
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Zhang, an Irvine resident, is accused of working with agents for the People’s Republic of China to monitor the son of Taiwan President Ching-te Lai.
According to the allegations, Zhang and her husband worked for the same real estate company. Prosecutors say she traveled to Seattle in September 2025 to surveil Ting-Yu Lai, an engineer in his 30s who lives and works in the United States.
Images from surveillance cameras allegedly show Zhang inside a vehicle with another person as they photographed Lai’s home and members of his immediate family.
Before her detention by federal authorities, Zhang appeared to lead a highly mobile, international lifestyle.
Her social media posts documented trips to Paris, along with gatherings and outings with friends throughout California and the broader West Coast.
The online profiles also suggested that Zhang attended the University of Southern California, where annual attendance costs can exceed $75,000.
Posts from Ding’s social media accounts feature visits to Korean barbecue restaurants, as well as appearances at anime and sword-art conventions.
The couple has also appeared in photos posing with what seems to be their child.
Zhang’s arrest comes amid several other high-profile California cases involving allegations of covert Chinese government activity or influence.
Disgraced former Arcadia mayor Eileen Wang entered a plea in federal court following the bombshell admission she was a spy for China in March.
Former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell confessed to a prescription drug-fueled sex romp with a suspected Chinese spy Christine Fang, also known as “Fang Fang,” according to newly released FBI files in August.
“We have a problem with Beijing using Chinese Americans for their own purposes in California,” First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said. “They are using them for their own foreign affairs because they are playing the long game to get a competitive advantage over us.”