Well, GPU scams have recently hit a new low, not in frequency, but in the actual way of scamming people. And, a unique incident has surfaced with the GeForce RTX 5090, involving macaroni to say the least.
A Redditor Purchases an RTX 5090 From Amazon In the Netherlands, Only To Get Rice & Pasta In His Package
Given how rarely NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 5090 is available across global retailers, consumers are in pursuit of a great deal, regardless of who's selling the SKU or the authenticity of the ad listing, resulting in several scam incidents. This time, a Redditor ordered an AORUS Master GeForce RTX 5090 from Amazon NL, only to realize that this package was filled with grocery items and an old GPU that he couldn't recognize. The GPU box "literally" had bags of rice and pasta to offset the weight of the box, and considering that this scam has happened in the EU, it won't be wrong to say that anyone could be a victim of it.
According to the Redditor, he had been saving up for a GeForce RTX 5090 for a whole year now. Interestingly, he opted for Amazon due to the retailer's popularity, and he had good experiences in the past. Amazon had listed this GPU as "new", and it was shipped over from a retailer in Spain, making a few stops in between. While we aren't aware of where the contents of the package were changed, it is disappointing to see such a large retailer not having a check for the items being sold on their platform.
The Redditor claims that he isn't too optimistic about whether he'll get a refund from Amazon, and the process has already been initiated, but given the EU's buyer protection policies, we are certain that he will get compensated. It won't be wrong to say that anyone can fall victim to this scam, and it is pretty easy to fall into, especially if you are unaware of the seller and the general policies. Here are quick tips to avoid getting into such scams.
- Make sure to opt for "PC-only" platforms like MicroCenter or MindFactory
- Prioritizing getting your hardware from physical retail stores, rather than online, ensures you know what you are purchasing.
- Check seller details at Amazon and prefer getting it from the official AIB partner, like the Gigabyte Store
We hope the story of this Redditor and his desired GeForce RTX 5090 ends well, and we'll keep an eye on what happens in this case. Although his grocery needs are now set for at least a week, which is something I mean.
About the author: Muhammad Zuhair is a hardware and technology reporter for Wccftech, specializing in the semiconductor industry and the complex interplay between technology, manufacturing, and geopolitics. His coverage focuses on the corporate strategies and technological roadmaps of industry giants like TSMC, NVIDIA, Samsung, and Intel. Zuhair's expertise lies in deconstructing complex topics such as fabrication nodes (e.g., 2nm process), the economic impact of policies like the CHIPS Act, and the strategic development of AI infrastructure from NVIDIA, AMD and Intel.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
