Buyer Loses $1,000 on “Second-Hand” NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, Receiving Only an Empty PCB without GPU Chip or Memory Modules

Scams involving NVIDIA’s premium graphics cards, particularly the RTX 4090, have increasingly infiltrated the second-hand market, with a growing number of reports emerging from China.

Surge in Scams Targeting NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Amid High Demand

As the GPU market grapples with a significant shortage of high-end graphics cards, opportunistic scammers are exploiting this situation globally. A recent report from MyDrivers highlights two alarming instances in China where unsuspecting buyers were duped into purchasing counterfeit GeForce RTX 4090 units at exorbitant prices. Such schemes are spiraling, and distinguishing real products from fakes can be challenging for the average consumer.

Case Study One: The ‘Bargain’ That Wasn’t

In one notable case, a buyer acquired an NVIDIA RTX 4090 for 3, 800 yuan (approximately $520), which initially appeared to be an alluring deal. The packaging and warranty labels all seemed legitimate, leading the buyer to believe they had made a wise purchase. However, upon further inspection, it became evident that the GPU chip was significantly smaller than the standard size. The scammer had even gone to the extent of printing a misleading “AD102-301″marking on the chip to enhance the deception.

Moreover, the counterfeit RTX 4090’s PCB was equipped with bogus memory modules that were polished to appear new, lacking any form of printing to indicate authenticity. It’s worth noting that these imitation GPU and memory components are readily available on Chinese marketplaces, with memory modules available for as low as three yuan and GPU chips for around 100 yuan. This suggests that the scammer generated a profit exceeding 3, 700 yuan from this fraudulent transaction.

Case Study Two: The Empty GPU Trap

The second case presents an even more disheartening scenario. A buyer paid 7, 000 yuan (roughly $1, 000) for an NVIDIA RTX 4090, which appeared in pristine condition. However, upon unboxing the GPU, he discovered it was entirely hollow, devoid of any GPU or memory chips. Understandably, this left the buyer dissatisfied and he has since reached out to the seller for clarification, leaving the resolution pending.

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Protect Yourself From Scams

It is crucial to recognize that these fraudulent schemes are not limited to the markets in China; they can occur anywhere around the globe. As demand for high-end GPUs escalates, there is an increased risk of falling victim to such scams. If you are considering buying a second-hand GPU, it’s essential to thoroughly assess the hardware before completing the purchase. Ideally, test the graphics card in front of the seller or carefully inspect the components to ensure authenticity.

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