Quanzhong An, a 58-year-old resident of Roslyn Heights, New York, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison by a federal court in Brooklyn. An was convicted for acting as an illegal agent of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in connection with "Operation Fox Hunt," a campaign aimed at coercing the repatriation of a U.S. resident to China. Alongside his prison term, An faces financial penalties totaling approximately $5 million, which includes around $1.3 million in restitution to the affected U.S. resident and their family, as well as a $50,000 fine.
An's involvement in this scheme began in 2017 when he attempted to locate the U.S. resident by visiting their adult son's home unannounced. In 2018, he sent his daughter and two PRC officials to visit the same location. Throughout this period, An met multiple times with the son, delivering threats on behalf of the PRC government. He warned that if the son could not persuade his father to return to China, PRC officials would continue to "pester" him and make his life difficult.
Judge Matsumoto noted that An also engaged in bank fraud and money laundering schemes intended to deceive U.S. financial institutions about the origin and purpose of funds transferred from China into U.S.-based accounts.
The FBI has launched a website for victims of foreign government intimidation or assault within the United States. Those who believe they have been targets of transnational repression are encouraged to report these incidents through the FBI's online platform.
The announcement was made by Supervisory Official Sue Bai from the Justice Department’s National Security Division; U.S. Attorney John J. Durham for the Eastern District of New York; and Acting Assistant Director Leslie R. Backshies from the FBI New York Field Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Solomon, Meredith A. Arfa, and Antoinette N. Rangel from the Eastern District of New York with support from Trial Attorney Scott Claffee from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. Claire S. Kedeshian is managing forfeiture matters while Madeline O’Connor and Daniel Saavedra are handling restitution issues within their respective departments.