The person at the center of this case
Wang Hongwei (fugitive defendant)
Cold Case · Open - Fugitive at Large
12 years waiting · since 2013
Wang, Hongwei
Justice for Wang Hongwei (fugitive defendant) — the trail went cold in 2013, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Wang Hongwei may hold dual citizenship with China and Canada—has he used either passport to evade capture?
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location
Lead #2Wang has possibly visited China and Argentina since 2013—which country is he currently hiding in?
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evidence
Lead #3What specific corn seed lines and research data were successfully stolen and transferred to the China-based company?
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. He and four co-conspirators allegedly stole valuable "inbred" corn seed lines worth an estimated $30-40 million and years of research to transport to a China-based seed company. With possible dual citizenship in China and Canada, Wang remains at large and is considered a significant international flight risk.
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 #4What roles did co-conspirators Li Shaoming, Lin Yong, Wang Lei, and Ye Jian play, and have they been apprehended?
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clue
Lead #5As a Mandarin and English speaker with international connections, what network of associates may be harboring him?
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
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2011-04-01
Conspiracy Period Begins
Alleged conspiracy to steal trade secrets from U.S. seed companies begins approximately April 2011
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2012-12-31
Conspiracy Period Ends
Alleged conspiracy period concludes 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:April 29, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:April 29, 2026