In recent times, a new scam has emerged, targeting unsuspecting consumers looking for high-performance DDR5 RAM. These fake products are being sold by major retailers, posing a substantial risk to buyers eager to upgrade their systems. Vigilance is essential to avoid falling victim to such deceptive practices.
Revealing the Deception Behind Fake DDR5 RAM
One of the most striking cases involved a Redditor, u/Leading-Growth-8361, who shared his unfortunate experience on r/pcmasterrace. He purchased what was advertised as a Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM kit from Amazon. However, upon trying to fit the modules into his motherboard, he discovered something was amiss. The heatsinks were loose, and the cutout positioning didn’t match that of genuine DDR5 sticks.
Upon closer inspection, it was apparent that the modules were actually DDR4, not DDR5. Both sticks looked identical, and removing the heatsink revealed an “unknown kind of RAM.” This scenario is not unprecedented; fake components have previously infiltrated the supply chain, sometimes long before reaching trusted retailers like Amazon.
Escalating Concerns in the Supply Chain
Recent incidents highlight how unscrupulous entities exploit high-demand products. There have been reports of fake ZOTAC RTX 5090s and Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPUs being sold, bypassing detection at the retailer’s level. This suggests the deceit often begins earlier in the supply chain, raising significant concerns for consumers and sellers alike. As DDR5 RAM remains one of the most costly hardware components, scammers are seizing the opportunity to profit from its desirability.
The Redditor did secure a refund from Amazon, highlighting the importance of purchasing from reputable sources. However, the rising prices of genuine DDR5 RAM mean he’ll face a higher cost for a legitimate replacement. It’s a cautionary tale for all tech enthusiasts to remain alert and informed.