Chinese espionage has infiltrated American soil, with a millionaire now paying the price for betraying his adopted country. The shocking case reveals how communist China targets dissidents living abroad through their sinister “Operation Fox Hunt” program, and how hard it can be to find these agents.
At a glance:
• Long Island millionaire Quanzhong An sentenced to 20 months in prison for Chinese espionage
• An participated in China’s “Operation Fox Hunt” targeting Chinese dissidents living in America
• He harassed and threatened a Chinese dissident and his family living in the US
• An must pay nearly $5 million in penalties, including $1.3 million to victims
• The spy scheme was accompanied by bank fraud and money laundering operations
Wealthy Spy in America’s Midst
A Long Island millionaire who participated in China’s covert “Operation Fox Hunt” program has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for espionage activities on American soil. Quanzhong An, worth an estimated $44 million, was convicted of working as a Chinese agent to force a dissident and his family to return to China, where they would likely “face an unknown fate,” according to FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Leslie R. Backschies.
The conviction represents a rare success in combating China’s aggressive espionage operations targeting Chinese nationals who have fled to the United States. An’s participation in “Operation Fox Hunt” was reportedly motivated by his desire to elevate his status with the Chinese government for economic benefits, showing how Beijing uses financial incentives to recruit spies within America.
Threats and Coercion Against American Residents
Court documents revealed that An engaged in a systematic campaign of harassment and intimidation targeting a Chinese dissident living in the United States. The millionaire spy relentlessly pressured the man’s son to reveal his father’s whereabouts, even sending his daughter and Chinese government officials to increase the pressure campaign.
An explicitly threatened the son, warning he would “make [his] daily life uncomfortable” until his father returned to face the Chinese regime. These threats demonstrate the brazen nature of China’s intelligence operations on American soil and their willingness to target family members of those they seek to silence.
Financial Crimes and Punishment
Beyond espionage, An was convicted of substantial financial crimes including bank fraud and money laundering millions of dollars from China to the United States. The dual nature of his criminal activities highlights how foreign intelligence operations often intertwine with financial crimes, creating multiple threats to American national security.
The punishment for An’s betrayal includes nearly $5 million in financial penalties, with $1.3 million designated as restitution to the victim family he terrorized. During his sentencing, An expressed regret, claiming, “I didn’t mean to cause them any pain,” a statement that rang hollow given the systematic nature of his harassment campaign.
The case represents a troubling example of how the Chinese Communist Party extends its reach into American communities. An’s conviction sends a message to other potential foreign agents that the United States will pursue and prosecute those who engage in espionage on behalf of foreign governments.
