Ontario student accused in U.S. of taking airport photos for Chinese official
Federal prosecutors say the student received $20 to $30 per accepted photo and used a Chinese contact’s instructions to hide messages and delete images.
- University of Waterloo student Weiheng Zeng appeared in a Detroit federal court on Tuesday, agreeing to remain in custody awaiting trial following his August 23 arrest in Michigan on a false statements charge.
- The FBI alleges Zeng photographed aircraft and facilities at Chicago's Hare International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport for an unknown "Chinese Contact," including an April 21 incident where he climbed a forklift to capture images.
- Investigators linked Zeng to a communication system involving Huawei phones and China Telecom SIM cards, while discovering photos of him in tactical clothing holding firearms and receiving payments of $200 US.
- Border officers interviewed Zeng three times upon his attempted re-entry into the United States last month, where he provided conflicting accounts regarding his travel before being charged with making false statements.
- While prosecutors argue Zeng poses a flight risk, none of the allegations have been proven in court as the case proceeds against the Chinese citizen.
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A Chinese university student from Waterloo arrested in the U.S. is suspected of spying for photographing the Toronto and Chicago airports.
Ontario student accused of taking airport photos for Chinese official
An Ontario university student has been arrested in a counter-intelligence investigation in the United States after allegedly taking photos at airports in Toronto and Chicago at the request of someone he believed to be a Chinese government official.
A student from an Ontario university was arrested as part of a counter-intelligence investigation in the United States. He is suspected of taking photos at Toronto and Chicago airports at the request of a person he believed to be a representative of the Chinese government.
He broke into airport land in Chicago and Toronto for a "Chinese contact," says the FBI.
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