Photos are those published by FBI; they may be dated or computer-aged.
- Status
- Wanted
- Agency
- FBI
- Notice
- FBI Wanted
- Issued
- 2014
- Nationality
- Chinese
- Checked
Li Fangwei
The FBI lists Li Fangwei, a Chinese national, on its Wanted list (notice published in 2014). The notice links Fangwei to charges that include fraud, money laundering and weapons offences. The United States Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Li Fangwei.
He is described as 1.7 m tall, weighing about 68 kg, with brown eyes and black hair. Distinguishing marks noted by the agency: Li Fangwei has a mole on his upper lip. Born on 18 September 1972 in Heilongjiang, China, he would now be 54.
- Fraud or forgery
- Money laundering
- Weapons offences
Charges, as published
- Conspiracy to Violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (One Count)
- Violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (Two Counts)
- Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering (One Count)
- Conspiracy to Commit Wire and Bank Fraud (One Count)
- Wire Fraud (Two Counts)
Reward
The United States Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Li Fangwei.
Case details, as published by FBI
Li Fangwei, who is more commonly known by the name Karl Lee, was previously sanctioned by the United States for his alleged role as a principal supplier to Iran's ballistic missile program. It is alleged that from 2006 through the present time Li Fangwei controlled a large network of front companies based in Eastern China which he allegedly used to defraud United States banks, regulators, and companies in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators Sanctions Regulations. It is also alleged that he continues to violate United States law and economic sanctions by engaging in prohibited transactions worth millions of dollars through United States-based financial institutions. Li Fangwei was indicted on April 28, 2014, in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, and a federal arrest warrant was issued after he was charged with Conspiracy to Violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (One Count); Violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (Two Counts); Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering (One Count); Conspiracy to Commit Wire and Bank Fraud (One Count); and Wire Fraud (Two Counts).
About this notice
The FBI Wanted list covers federal fugitives, violent offenders, missing persons and cases where the bureau is seeking public information; not every entry is a fugitive. About the FBI Wanted list →
If you have information
Information about this person's whereabouts can be submitted to the FBI online or by phone on 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or to any FBI field office or US embassy. tips.fbi.gov ↗
Do not attempt to approach or detain anyone yourself.
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