A California grandfather, 74-year-old Naiping Hou, vanished on May 4, leaving behind an emptied Rancho Cucamonga home. Investigators say someone withdrew $1 million from his accounts to buy gold bars and cryptocurrency. They also say evidence suggests someone attempted to sell his car and rent out his house.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is now investigating the case as a potential kidnapping linked to identity theft.
The uncharacteristic text messages
According to reports, the last time the Wen family saw Naiping was on March 18, during a fishing trip with family and friends in San Pedro, California. Naiping’s son, Wen Hou, a noted cryptocurrency investor, grew suspicious after he received texts starting in March that were out of character for his father.
“Over time, when I ask him if he wants to come meet with us … he would either say he’s tired or, ‘I’ll call you later,’” Wen explained. Previously, Wen said his father was always eager to visit family.
By May, Wen asked friends to check on Naiping’s house. He described the scene: “Not even furniture or utensils or anything like that,” he recalled. “Which is extremely bizarre, and that’s when I knew whoever I was talking to,” in those text messages, “was not the person living at the house.”
Afterward, the sheriff’s department confirmed someone had emptied Naiping’s accounts to buy over $1 million in gold bars and cryptocurrency. According to Wen, his dad never bought gold in his life and was not an online-savvy person.
Meanwhile, investigators also discovered attempts to sell Naiping’s vehicles and rent out his home. Authorities are searching for a silver Toyota Yaris, possibly linked to the case.
Authorities describe the case as “a suspicious disappearance” and are treating it as a kidnapping and identity-theft incident. “There’s been a significant amount of unauthorized activity in his bank accounts,” said Mara Rodriguez, a sheriff’s spokesperson.
A son’s suspicion
Wen suspects the disappearance may be connected to his success in cryptocurrency. He told reporters: “It’s just so crazy that somebody might be impersonating my dad via text message.” Wen also pointed out that if no ransom was demanded. “Typically, I would think if you’re a big player you would get a ransom,” Wen said.
The Hou family is now offering a $250,000 reward and has hired private investigators. They urge anyone with information to call Detective Vanayes Quezada at (909) 890‑4848 or submit tips via their dedicated website.
The public is encouraged to look out for a 5 ft 7 in Asian man, about 170 lb, with black hair, black eyes and a birthmark on his left shoulder. This remains an active investigation. They emphasize the seriousness of the crime and the need for public assistance.
Published: Jul 22, 2025 08:05 am