FBI investigates construction entrepreneur linked to Chinese spy suspect

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 00:24 · Archive

Fatai Miao, a California construction entrepreneur, is being investigated for allegedly helping a realtor accused of spying for China.

Fatai Miao, a Chinese-born California construction entrepreneur, is under federal investigation for allegedly helping Wanying Zhang, a realtor accused of spying for China. The FBI believes Miao accompanied Zhang to Seattle in September 2025, where she allegedly surveilled Ting-Yu Lai, the son of Taiwan's president.

Miao took a one-way flight to China two weeks ago, prosecutors said in court on Wednesday, referring to him as 'Individual 1' in documents. FBI agents searched his empty home in Irvine, California using a battering ram on Sunday, shortly after Zhang was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport while attempting to board a flight to Shanghai. The Justice Department has not accused Miao of wrongdoing.

The New York Post reports that Miao is Zhang's lover. Zhang, who worked for a real estate firm, also has children with her husband Edric Ding. At a court hearing on Wednesday, prosecutors alleged Zhang has access to a secret Chinese cryptocurrency account and that her brother has ties to the Chinese government.

CBS News confirmed Miao's identity through federal documents, law enforcement sources, and interviews with family and neighbours. A relative described him as a 'follower' who would not participate in sophisticated government activity. Miao's son said his father had been in China for two weeks to care for his wife, who was receiving medical treatment for her back.

How it is being reported

• SoCal businessman fled county after allegations he helped lover accused of being Chinese spyA Southern California businessman targeted in a federal investigation of a real estate agent accused of spying for China has fled the country — as it was revealed that he’s the married alleged mole’s lover, according to sources familiar with the case. Fatai Miao, a Chinese-born California construction entrepreneur, is believed to have accompanied realtor Wanying...New York Post · 10 Oct, 00:09
• Feds investigate if accused Chinese agent had help in the U.S.Fatai Miao, a Chinese-born California construction entrepreneur, is believed to be the man who accompanied accused Chinese agent Wanying Zhang to surveil the Taiwanese president's son.CBS News · 8 Oct, 17:29

In this story: Fatai Miao · Wanying Zhang · Ting-Yu Lai · Taiwan · California · Seattle · FBI · China

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem