The person at the center of this case
Dupont Pioneer, Monsanto, and LG Seeds (corporate victims)
Cold Case · Open - Wanted
12 years waiting · since 2013
Li, Shaoming
Justice for Dupont Pioneer, Monsanto, and LG Seeds (corporate victims) — the trail went cold in 2013, but the truth hasn't.
Start here
Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Li Shaoming's current location and whether he has fled to China or Argentina as suspected
🔍
evidence
Lead #2Identification of the specific inbred corn seed lines stolen and their current use in Chinese agricultural operations
👤
person
Lead #3Co-conspirators Lin Yong, Wang Hongwei, Wang Lei, and Ye Jian and their roles in the theft operation
Li Shaoming is wanted by the FBI for conspiracy to steal trade secrets from major U.S. seed companies including DuPont Pioneer, Monsanto, and LG Seeds between 2011 and 2012. He and four co-conspirators allegedly stole valuable inbred corn seed lines worth an estimated $30-40 million each and transported them to China to benefit a China-based seed company. A federal warrant was issued for his arrest on December 17, 2013, and he remains at large, considered a flight risk with possible connections to China and Argentina.
Case
#619
United States District Court, Southern District of Iowa; FBI Counterintelligence Division
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
📞
contact
Lead #4How Li Shaoming coordinated the theft with the China-based seed company and what communication channels were used
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 Steal Trade Secrets Caution: From approximately April 2011 to approximately December 2012, Li, Shaoming, Lin, Yong , Wang, Hongwei , Wang, Lei , and Ye, Jian allegedly conspired to steal the intellectual property of several United States-based seed manufacturing companies and transport the intellectual property to the People's Republic of China for the benefit of their China-based seed company. The 5 individuals are alleged to have conspired to steal "inbred" corn seed from Dupont Pioneer, Monsanto, and LG Seeds.
This “inbred” or “parent” line of seed constitutes valuable intellectual property of a seed producer. The estimated loss on an “inbred” line of seed is approximately 5 to 8 years of research and a minimum of 30 to 40 million dollars.
After Li, Shaoming was charged with conspiracy to steal trade secrets, a federal warrant was issued for his arrest in the United States District Court, Southern District of Iowa, on December 17, 2013. Remarks: Li, Shaoming should be considered an international flight risk.
He has possibly visited China and Argentina. Li, Shaoming speaks Mandarin and English.
Timeline of Events
📋
2011-04
Conspiracy Period Begins
Alleged conspiracy to steal trade secrets from U.S. seed companies begins
📋
2012-12
Conspiracy Period Ends
Alleged conspiracy period concludes
🕵️
2013-12-17
Federal Warrant Issued
Federal warrant issued for Li Shaoming's arrest in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Iowa for conspiracy to steal trade secrets
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:September 12, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:September 12, 2026