The person at the center of this case
Intellectual property of U.S. seed manufacturing companies (DuPont Pioneer, Monsanto, LG Seeds)
Cold Case · Open
12 years waiting · since 2013
Lin, Yong
Justice for Intellectual property of U.S. seed manufacturing companies (DuPont Pioneer, Monsanto, LG Seeds) — the trail went cold in 2013, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Lin Yong allegedly conspired with four others (Wang Hongwei, Wang Lei, Ye Jian, Li Shaoming) to steal seed genetics—what was his specific role and expertise?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2Inbred corn seed lines from three major companies were stolen—how did the conspirators gain access to secure agricultural facilities and intellectual property?
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location
Lead #3Lin Yong may have visited China and Argentina after the alleged crimes—which country is he currently hiding in and does he have established contacts there?
Lin Yong is wanted 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 dollars each and transported them to China for a China-based seed company. A federal warrant was issued in December 2013, and Lin Yong remains at large, believed to be an international flight risk with possible connections to China and Argentina.
Case
#615
United States (multi-state agricultural operations)
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.
💡
clue
Lead #4Lin Yong speaks Mandarin and English and may wear glasses—are there any confirmed sightings or financial transactions that could reveal his current whereabouts?
📞
contact
Lead #5Who facilitated the transport of stolen seed to China and what Chinese seed company benefited from this intellectual property theft?
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, Lin, Yong, Wang, Hongwei , Wang, Lei , Ye, Jian , and Li, Shaoming 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 Lin, Yong 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: Lin, Yong should be considered an international flight risk.
He has possibly visited China and Argentina. Lin, Yong may wear glasses.
He also speaks Mandarin and English.
Timeline of Events
🕵️
2011-04-01
Conspiracy Period Begins
Alleged conspiracy to steal trade secrets begins approximately April 2011
🕵️
2012-12-31
Conspiracy Period Ends
Alleged conspiracy period ends approximately December 2012
👤
2013-12-17
Federal Warrant Issued
Federal warrant issued for Lin Yong's arrest in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Iowa for conspiracy to steal trade secrets
Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:June 15, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:June 15, 2026