The person at the center of this case
Wang Lei
Cold Case · Open - Wanted/Fugitive
12 years waiting · since 2013
Wang, Lei
Justice for Wang Lei — the trail went cold in 2013, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Wang Lei allegedly coordinated with four co-conspirators (Li Shaoming, Lin Yong, Wang Hongwei, Ye Jian) - what were their specific roles and current whereabouts?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific inbred corn seed lines were stolen and how were they physically transported to China?
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location
Lead #3Wang Lei has possibly visited China and Argentina since fleeing - which country is he currently hiding in?
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. Working with four co-conspirators, he allegedly stole valuable "inbred" corn seed lines worth an estimated $30-40 million and years of research to transport to China for a Chinese seed company. A federal warrant was issued for his arrest on December 17, 2013, and he remains a fugitive believed to have fled to China or Argentina.
Case
#617
U.S. 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 #4He speaks Mandarin and English and may wear glasses - have there been credible sightings in China or Argentina?
📞
contact
Lead #5Who were the contacts at the Chinese seed company that benefited from the stolen 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
🕵️
2012-12-01
Conspiracy Period Ends
Alleged conspiracy period 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:April 29, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:April 1, 2011
Last Updated:April 29, 2026