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 is considered an international flight risk with possible connections to China and Argentina—where is he currently hiding?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific inbred corn seed samples were stolen and how were they transported to China? Who facilitated the logistics?
👤
person
Lead #3What are the current whereabouts and activities of the four co-conspirators: Wang Hongwei, Wang Lei, Ye Jian, and Li Shaoming?
Lin Yong is wanted for his alleged role in a conspiracy to steal valuable corn seed intellectual property from major U.S. seed companies including DuPont Pioneer, Monsanto, and LG Seeds between 2011 and 2012. The stolen trade secrets, worth an estimated 30-40 million dollars and representing 5-8 years of research, were allegedly transported to China to benefit a China-based seed company. Lin Yong fled the United States after being charged in December 2013 and is believed to be an international flight risk who may be hiding in China or Argentina.
Case
#615
United States District Court, Southern District of Iowa; FBI Counterintelligence
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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 #4Lin Yong speaks Mandarin and English and may wear glasses—have there been any credible sightings or communications since his flight in December 2013?
💡
clue
Lead #5What is the connection between the conspiracy and the China-based seed company that benefited from the stolen intellectual property?
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 from U.S. seed companies 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 after being charged with conspiracy to steal trade secrets
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:May 9, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:May 9, 2026