Name: Nai Ping Hou
Age: 74 years old
Last Seen: March 18, 2025
Location: Rancho Cucamonga, California
Status: Still missing
Case Information
74 year old Nai Ping Hou was last seen at his residence in Rancho Cucamonga, California on March 18, 2025. During a welfare check in early May, law enforcement found evidence indicating he may have been kidnapped.
Background
Nai Ping Hou is a husband, father, and grandfather. Originally from China, he currently resides in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Hou is semi retired and enjoys woodworking and playing ping pong at his local recreation center.
Disappearance
On March 18, 2025, Nai Ping Hou was last seen at his residence in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
On May 4, 2025, law enforcement went to his residence to conduct a welfare check. Upon arrival they found evidence suggesting he may have been kidnapped.
He was officially reported missing to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office by family later that day.
Investigation
Since Hou’s disappearance there has been suspicious activity his financial accounts and property, including unauthorized sales of his vehicles and the attempted renting of his home.
On July 9, 2024, authorities confirmed that “extensive fraudulent transactions” were conducted using Hou’s bank accounts. His family says someone drained his entire retirement savings and used it to purchase more than $1M worth of gold bars online.
Authorities are also seeking information about a silver Toyota Yaris in connection with his disappearance.
Police believe an unknown suspect used Hou’s cell phone to impersonate him to communicate with concerned family members. Hou’s son Wen said he would communicate with his father via text messages often, but now believes the person responding wasn’t his father.
“I have really young children, and we frequently ask him if he wants to come and visit us,” Wen told ABC7, noting that his father would rarely refuse a chance to come and visit his grand children. “He would refuse now, saying, ‘I’m tired,’ or ‘I can’t meet,’ or ‘I’ll call you later,'” Wen said.
After several suspicious texts, some family members went to Hou’s residence to check on him. When they arrived they found the house empty and the lawn overgrown, which prompted them to call the police.
His loved ones believe his kidnapping may be related to his family’s success in the cryptocurrency business.
Hou’s family has set up their own website, and is offering a $250,000 reward for his safe return or information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Appearance
Asian male with grey hair (possibly dyed brown or black) and dark brown eyes. Hou stands 5’7 tall and weighs about 170 pounds. He has a birthmark on his upper left shoulder and a surgery scar on his lower back.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Nai Ping Hou please contact Detective Vanayes Quezada at (909) 890-4848, or the Anonymous Tip Line at (800) 782-7463.
Anonymous tips can also be made online.
Resources & Further Information
New Details Released on Disappearance of 74 Year Old Southern California Man – KTLA
Authorities Release New Details in Rancho Cucamonga Man’s Disappearance, Urge Public Help – VVNG
Authorities Still Searching For 74 Year Old Rancho Cucamonga Man Missing Since May – CBS News
Detectives Investigating Disappearance of 74 Year Old Rancho Cucamonga Man As Possible Kidnapping – ABC7
Family Members of Missing Rancho Cucamonga Man Believe He Was Kidnapped – CBS News
Law enforcement should be able to track the online gold bar purchases.
And they also attempted to rent his house out? He’s definitely not doing all of this on his own. This sounds like an inside job.