74-Year-Old California Man Missing; Kidnapping Suspected Over Family Crypto Fortune

Key Points

1. Naiping Hou disappeared in early May under suspicious circumstances, possibly related to his family's crypto wealth.

2. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the case, citing evidence of 'extensive fraudulent activity' involving Hou’s bank accounts.

3. Hou’s son, Wen Hou, has offered a $250,000 reward for information leading to his father’s safe return and believes the motive may be financial.

4. Crypto-linked violence is rising in 2025, with 35 cases reported by July, driven by Bitcoin’s price surge and targeting individuals with digital wealth.

5. Over $2.17 billion in crypto has been stolen globally in 2025, with wallet breaches accounting for $1.7 billion of the total.