Student Allegedly Photographed US Facilities for Chinese Government Near Chicago Airport

Allegations of Espionage

Court records indicate that Weiheng Zeng, a Chinese national and student at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, allegedly crossed into the United States to photograph facilities near Chicago O'Hare International Airport. These actions were reportedly carried out under the direction of a suspected Chinese government official. The official allegedly instructed Zeng to destroy SIM cards used for communication and to use a Huawei phone.

Crowdsourcing Sensitive Imagery

The records provide insight into methods used by Chinese state actors to crowdsource imagery of sensitive U.S. locations or military aircraft. Students are reportedly instructed on how to avoid detection while performing these tasks. Zeng has crossed into the U.S. approximately two dozen times since 2022.

Incident at O'Hare

In April, an individual, later identified as Zeng, was observed in the FedEx employee parking lot at O’Hare International Airport. He appeared to be taking photos of aircraft and other airport areas, including climbing onto a forklift for better vantage points and attempting to access a FedEx truck. Authorities identified Zeng through his vehicle, a dark blue Chrysler Town & Country.

CBP Interrogation and Confession

When Zeng attempted to re-enter the U.S., Customs and Border Protection (CBP) interviewed him. Initially, Zeng claimed he was a hobby plane spotter and took photos for a flight radar website. However, CBP agents found numerous aircraft photos on his phone, as well as images of Zeng and others in tactical clothing with rifle-styled firearms, which he claimed were airsoft guns. Zeng later admitted that taking photos was more than a hobby and that he was paid $20 to $30 per picture by a "Chinese Contact" who assigned specific planes and tail numbers to photograph. He also confirmed instructions to destroy SIM cards, chats, and delete photos.