The person at the center of this case
United States seed manufacturing companies (DuPont Pioneer, Monsanto, LG Seeds)
Cold Case · Open
12 years waiting · since 2013
Wang, Lei
Justice for United States 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 #1Wang Lei is believed to have fled to China or Argentina; he speaks Mandarin and English and may wear glasses
🔍
evidence
Lead #2Stolen "inbred" corn seed lines from three major U.S. seed companies represent 5-8 years of research and $30-40 million per line
👤
person
Lead #3Four co-conspirators also charged: Li Shaoming, Lin Yong, Wang Hongwei, and Ye Jian
Wang Lei is a Chinese national 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 "inbred" corn seed lines worth an estimated $30-40 million each 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, believed to have fled to China or Argentina.
Case
#617
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.
💡
clue
Lead #4Why were these specific seed companies targeted, and what role did the China-based seed company play in directing the theft?
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 around April 2011
🕵️
2012-12-31
Conspiracy Period Ends
Alleged conspiracy period ends around 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:September 9, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:September 9, 2026