Missing 74-Year-Old Man Naiping Hou: FBI Assists in Investigation of Suspicious Disappearance and Financial Fraud
Federal agents are assisting in the search for a missing 74-year-old man from Southern California, Naiping Hou, whose disappearance is considered suspicious following the disappearance of over $1 million from his accounts. The FBI is collaborating with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in investigating the case. Naiping was reported missing by his family on May 4, 2025, after his son, Wen Hou, last saw him during a fishing trip in March of the previous year. Concerns arose when unusual text messages were received from Naiping’s phone, leading to the discovery of his empty home, which had been repainted and cleared out, with his vehicles missing.
Authorities uncovered fraudulent transactions linked to Naiping’s bank accounts around the time of his disappearance, with more than $1 million withdrawn to purchase physical gold online. It is suspected that someone may have impersonated Naiping using his phone to drain his finances. Family members believe he may have been abducted due to the sudden disappearance, financial activity, and attempts to sell his property. The case remains active, with law enforcement not confirming a motive but continuing the investigation with the assistance of the FBI.
Naiping is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, approximately 170 pounds, with dark hair, dark eyes, and a birthmark on his upper left chest. His family is offering a $250,000 reward for information leading to his whereabouts and encourages anyone with information to come forward as the search for clues continues.