CrimeOwl AI logoCrimeOwl AI
CasesBlogPricingAboutLaw Enforcement
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Cases
  4. /
  5. LI FANGWEI
Back to CasesMore Cases
United States Government / Financial System

The person at the center of this case

United States Government / Financial System

Case
#620
SourceFBI WantedUpdated Mar 15, 2026
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) / U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
Cold Case ยท Open
12 years waiting ยท since 2014

LI FANGWEI

Justice for United States Government / Financial System โ€” the trail went cold in 2014, but the truth hasn't.

Start here

Key leads to think about

๐ŸŽฏ
suspect
Lead #1

What is Li Fangwei's current location and how has he evaded capture since his 2014 indictment?

๐Ÿ”
evidence
Lead #2

What specific front companies in Eastern China were used to facilitate the alleged Iran sanctions violations?

๐Ÿ“ž
contact
Lead #3

How extensive is the network of co-conspirators and financial intermediaries involved in the prohibited transactions?

Li Fangwei, also known as Karl Lee, is a Chinese national wanted for allegedly operating a network of front companies to supply components for Iran's ballistic missile program while defrauding U.S. financial institutions. Indicted in April 2014 in New York federal court, he is accused of violating international sanctions and money laundering through millions of dollars in prohibited transactions. His current whereabouts remain unknown, and he is considered a significant counterintelligence concern due to his ongoing alleged violations of U.S. law and economic sanctions.

Case
#620
SourceFBI WantedUpdated Mar 15, 2026
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) / U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York

Try asking

Claim this imported case

A one-time $10 claim transfers this imported case workspace to your account. You get 10 uploads for this case, 25 daily AI questions for this case, and public tips with files route to you.

10 uploads25 AI questions/day

This does not start a subscription. When the included limits are reached, the Personal plan unlocks more workspace capacity.

More leads to consider

Beyond the top three above โ€” each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.

๐Ÿ’ก
clue
Lead #4

What millions of dollars in transactions passed through U.S. financial institutions, and which banks were unknowingly involved?

Have information about any of these leads?

Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.

Official wording

Source Narrative

Conspiracy to Violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (One Count); Violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (Two Counts); Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering (One Count); Conspiracy to Commit Wire and Bank Fraud (One Count); Wire Fraud (Two Counts) Caution: Li Fangwei, who is more commonly known by the name Karl Lee, was previously sanctioned by the United States for his alleged role as a principal supplier to Iran's ballistic missile program. It is alleged that from 2006 through the present time Li Fangwei controlled a large network of front companies based in Eastern China which he allegedly used to defraud United States banks, regulators, and companies in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators Sanctions Regulations.

It is also alleged that he continues to violate United States law and economic sanctions by engaging in prohibited transactions worth millions of dollars through United States-based financial institutions. Li Fangwei was indicted on April 28, 2014, in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, and a federal arrest warrant was issued after he was charged with Conspiracy to Violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (One Count); Violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (Two Counts); Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering (One Count); Conspiracy to Commit Wire and Bank Fraud (One Count); and Wire Fraud (Two Counts).

Remarks: Li Fangwei is known to speak both Mandarin and English.

Timeline of Events

๐Ÿ•ต๏ธ
2006

Alleged scheme begins

Li Fangwei allegedly begins controlling a network of front companies in Eastern China to supply Iran's ballistic missile program

๐Ÿ‘ค
2014-04-28

Federal indictment issued

Li Fangwei is indicted in U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York on charges including conspiracy to violate IEEPA, money laundering, and wire fraud

Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case

Case Information

Incident:January 1, 2006
Last Updated:October 29, 2026

Up to $5 Reward

For information leading to the resolution of this case

Leave a comment

Comments

Case Information

Incident:January 1, 2006
Last Updated:October 29, 2026

Up to $5 Reward

For information leading to the resolution of this case