The person at the center of this case
Dupont Pioneer, Monsanto, and LG Seeds (corporate victims)
Cold Case · Open
12 years waiting · since 2013
Wang, Hongwei
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 #1Wang Hongwei may hold dual citizenship with China and Canada; consider international flight risk and possible locations in China and Argentina
🔍
evidence
Lead #2Stolen "inbred" corn seed lines from three major U.S. agricultural companies; each line represents 5-8 years of research
👤
person
Lead #3Four co-conspirators identified: Li Shaoming, Lin Yong, Wang Lei, and Ye Jian; their current locations and status unknown
Wang Hongwei is a fugitive wanted for conspiracy to steal trade secrets from major U.S. seed companies including Dupont Pioneer, Monsanto, and LG Seeds between 2011 and 2012. Working with four co-conspirators, he allegedly stole valuable "inbred" corn seed lines worth an estimated $30-40 million per line and transported them to China for a Chinese seed company. A federal warrant was issued for his arrest in December 2013, and he remains at large with possible ties to China, Canada, and Argentina.
Case
#616
United States (multi-state operations)
United States District Court, Southern District of Iowa; Federal Bureau of Investigation
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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 #4Wang speaks Mandarin and English; likely has connections to Chinese seed company operations
📍
location
Lead #5Possible previous travel to China and Argentina suggests potential hiding locations or operational bases
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, 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 concludes approximately December 2012
👤
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
Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:May 10, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:May 10, 2026