New DDR5 scam uses DDR2 sticks with printed labels to mimic heatsink branding
We received a tip from one of our readers, and this is the first time we have heard about this specific scam. A sealed DDR5 kit sold as new by Amazon turned out to contain counterfeit parts.
Our reader, BravoNorris, bought the last four units of an XPG Caster 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5-6000 CL40 kit from Amazon Spain. Three kits arrived first, then the fourth a few days later. Tracking showed all shipments coming from Ireland. One kit was resold, and another was installed and worked normally.
The problem showed up when the reader opened a third kit during a system build. The box was still plastic-wrapped and looked normal from the outside. Inside were two older DDR or DDR2 modules with stickers meant to resemble a DDR5 heatsink label, plus a metal plate that appears to be there to fake the expected weight.
Source: BravoNorris/VideoCardz
The reader says the stickers can fool someone who only checks the box window, although the print quality looks questionable up close. A fourth unopened kit was kept for a side-by-side comparison between a legitimate package and the compromised one. The most likely scenario is return fraud: someone swapped the contents, resealed it, and it was later resold as new.
Source: BravoNorris/VideoCardz
A return request has already been filed, but it is still unclear if Amazon will issue a refund. If you are buying expensive hardware, it is worth recording the unboxing on camera, including the sealed packaging and serial labels. This can help with refund disputes, but it is not guaranteed, and banks may reject such evidence. If a refund is denied, a card chargeback may be the only remaining option.
We have contacted ADATA for comment and asked whether the company is aware of similar cases involving XPG-branded memory kits being swapped and resealed, and if it has any guidance for customers on how to verify authenticity. We will update this story if we receive a response.
Source: BravoNorris/VideoCardz
