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
Wang, Lei
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 #1Where is Wang Lei currently located? Has he fled to China or Argentina as suspected?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific corn seed genetic materials and research data were stolen and successfully transferred?
👤
person
Lead #3What roles did the four co-conspirators (Li Shaoming, Lin Yong, Wang Hongwei, and Ye Jian) play in the conspiracy?
Wang Lei is wanted by the FBI 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 corn seed intellectual property worth an estimated $30-40 million per inbred line and transported it to China to benefit a China-based seed company. Wang Lei remains at large and is considered a flight risk who may be hiding in China or Argentina.
Case
#617
United States (multi-state operations)
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) / U.S. District Court, Southern District of Iowa
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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 #4Which China-based seed company was the intended beneficiary of the stolen intellectual property?
💡
clue
Lead #5Wang Lei speaks Mandarin and English and may wear glasses—have these identifying features been used in international manhunts?
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, Lei, Li, Shaoming , Lin, Yong , Wang, Hongwei , 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, Lei 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, Lei should be considered an international flight risk.
He has possibly visited China and Argentina and speaks Mandarin and English. He may also wear glasses.
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 activities conclude approximately December 2012
👤
2013-12-17
Federal warrant issued
After Wang Lei 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
Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:October 29, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:October 29, 2026