RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. (TCN) — Authorities are investigating the disappearance of a 74-year-old man who family members believe might have been kidnapped over cryptocurrency.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, relatives reported Naiping Hou missing on May 4. Per his missing person site, investigators responded to his home but were unable to find him and uncovered evidence suggesting he might have been kidnapped.
In an update posted July 9, the sheriff’s office said they discovered “extensive fraudulent transactions” on Hou’s bank accounts around the time he went missing. Investigators also suspect an unknown individual or multiple people used Hou’s cellphone and pretended to be him when communicating with his family members.
Hou’s son told KTLA-TV he last saw his father during a fishing trip and that he “was in a very good mood.” Hou’s wife was reportedly visiting family in China when her husband disappeared.
According to KABC-TV, relatives believe his alleged abduction could be linked to the family’s success in cryptocurrency. His son told the news source that he believes someone stole Hou’s identity to drain his account of more than $1 million.
Hou’s missing person site also alleges that there were unauthorized sales of his cars, “gifting of items, and the attempted renting of his home.”
The son allegedly received multiple suspicious text messages and asked family friends to check on his father, but the place was empty.
Hou’s family is reportedly offering a reward of $250,000 for information leading to Hou’s return or an arrest.
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