Graphics cards without a GPU are being sold to unsuspecting Chinese consumers. This new scam that has just surfaced in the used markets of China mostly involves the GeForce RTX 4090.
These counterfeit GeForce RTX 4090 graphics cards have surfaced in the secondhand market. According to HKEPC, the current flagship graphics card from Nvidia is no longer worth the cost on the used market, at least in China.
The person who got scammed has spent roughly $1600 (or $13,000 HK) on what seemed to be a counterfeit GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card. Before the purchase, the card appeared to be in good condition, with images showing a working unit before it was shipped.
However, the individual realized they had been scammed as soon as the card arrived.
In addition to the fans not functioning, the GPU was absent. The AD102 GPU that drives the GeForce RTX 4090 was removed, though a few of the memory modules were left in place while others were glued onto the thermal pads.
Unfortunately for the buyer, Chinese police do not seem interested in pursuing the incident, leaving the person without any means to get their money back. In an attempt to prevent future buyers from falling for these tactics, HKEPC is publishing the news of the counterfeit GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card.
Although this is the first report of this kind of incident, given the status of the GPU markets in China and the surrounding industries, we might see more reports along these lines coming out soon.
Scammers could take advantage of the US government’s prohibition on the sale of GeForce RTX 4090 graphics cards in China by offering the GeForce RTX 4090 for a price that’s too good to be true.
Furthermore, a massive inventory of gaming GeForce RTX 4090 GPUs had already been converted into AI solutions by Chinese firms. To do this, essential parts like the GPU and memory dies are taken out and replaced with a new PCB, made to fit a dual-slot blower-style cooler meeting AI server specifications.
This may have left spare graphics card chassis options, creating a new scam in the Chinese market. Still, the GeForce RTX 4090D will soon be available as an official replacement for Chinese consumers.
Nvidia has also announced the GeForce RTX 4080 Super recently. These options should help limit such scams after January.
Featured Image Credit: Not an Apple Fan
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