The person at the center of this case
Lei Wang (suspect/fugitive)
Cold Case · Open - Fugitive at Large
12 years waiting · since 2013
Wang, Lei
Justice for Lei Wang (suspect/fugitive) — the trail went cold in 2013, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Wang Lei is believed to have fled to China or Argentina; what evidence led investigators to these specific countries?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific inbred corn seed lines were successfully stolen, and which companies suffered the greatest losses?
📞
contact
Lead #3Wang Lei speaks Mandarin and English and may wear glasses; have there been any credible sightings since 2013?
Lei Wang is a Chinese national wanted by the FBI for allegedly conspiring with four others to steal valuable corn seed intellectual property from major U.S. agricultural companies between 2011 and 2012, causing an estimated $30-40 million loss per stolen line. After being charged with conspiracy to steal trade secrets in December 2013, Wang fled and has not been apprehended, with suspected ties to China and Argentina. His case remains active as authorities seek information on his whereabouts and any assistance in locating this international fugitive.
Case
#617
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.
👤
person
Lead #4Four co-conspirators (Li Shaoming, Lin Yong, Wang Hongwei, Ye Jian) were also charged; what were the outcomes of their cases?
💡
clue
Lead #5How was the conspiracy discovered, and what evidence connected Wang Lei to the theft of 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, 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 begins approximately April 2011
🕵️
2012-12-31
Conspiracy period ends
Alleged conspiracy to steal trade secrets ends approximately December 2012
👤
2013-12-17
Federal warrant issued
Federal warrant issued for Wang Lei'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:May 11, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:May 11, 2026