The person at the center of this case
Intellectual property theft victims: DuPont Pioneer, Monsanto, LG Seeds
Cold Case · Open - Fugitive at Large
12 years waiting · since 2013
Wang, Hongwei
Justice for Intellectual property theft victims: 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 #1Wang Hongwei holds possible dual citizenship with China and Canada; considered international flight risk
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location
Lead #2Subject may have fled to or visited China and Argentina; whereabouts currently unknown
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evidence
Lead #3Stolen genetic material represents 5-8 years of research and $30-40 million per inbred corn seed line
Wang Hongwei is a fugitive 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 genetic material, representing 5-8 years of research and $30-40 million in value per line, was allegedly transported to China to benefit a China-based seed company. Wang fled before facing charges and remains at large, with possible connections to China and Argentina.
Case
#616
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.
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person
Lead #4Co-conspirators include Li Shaoming, Lin Yong, Wang Lei, and Ye Jian; status and locations of other defendants unknown
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clue
Lead #5Subject speaks Mandarin and English; language skills may facilitate international movement and communication
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Official wording
Source Narrative
Conspiracy to Steal Trade Secrets Caution: From approximately April 2011 to approximately December 2012, Wang, Hongwei, Li, Shaoming , Lin, Yong , 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 Wang, Hongwei 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: Wang, Hongwei may have dual citizenship with China and Canada.
He should also be considered an international flight risk. He has possibly visited China and Argentina, and he 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
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2013-12-17
Federal warrant issued
Federal warrant issued for Wang Hongwei'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 9, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:September 9, 2026