A gamer’s worst nightmare became a reality for one unfortunate individual in Hong Kong who paid a whopping $1,660 for an NVIDIA RTX 4090 graphics card, only to discover that it was missing vital components, including the GPU and several VRAM chips. This shocking and disappointing experience serves as a cautionary tale for anyone considering purchasing high-value items from the second-hand market.
According to reports from HKCPC, the victim, who has been identified as Mr. Hong, bought the RTX 4090 from the Carousell online second-hand marketplace at the beginning of the month. The card’s price tag of HK$13,000, equivalent to around $1,660, gave the impression of a legitimate and trustworthy transaction, making it less likely to be a scam. The listing for the graphics card included photos of its lighting effects activated, which added an element of authenticity to the product.
To further validate the purchase, Mr. Hong met with the seller in person, a commonly regarded safer option when engaging in second-hand transactions. Upon visual confirmation that the card was indeed the one from the listed photos, Mr. Hong handed over the agreed-upon amount. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation only became apparent when the buyer tried to install the RTX 4090.
While the card’s RGB lights illuminated as expected, it soon became evident that they were the only components functioning. The fans failed to spin, and there was no output to the attached display, leaving Mr. Hong in disbelief and disappointment. Determined to rectify the issue, he sought the help of a local repair shop, hoping that the problem could be remedied.
However, Mr. Hong’s hopes were dashed when the repair shop made a startling discovery – the 4090’s GPU was missing, and several of its VRAM chips had been removed. Those that remained appeared to have been stuck to thermal pads, indicating that the card had been significantly tampered with. The victim attempted to contact the seller, but their efforts were in vain as the seller had vanished.
Consequently, Mr. Hong reported the incident to the police, seeking assistance in addressing the fraudulent transaction. However, he was informed that tracking down the seller in such cases was challenging, and the case would not be investigated further. This left Mr. Hong with no recourse and a significant loss of investment.
It is speculated that the scavenged RTX 4090 may have originated from Chinese factories that were acquiring the cards in bulk before they were prohibited in the country. These factories reportedly stripped the cards of their main components and repurposed the parts in different boards with blower-style coolers. The reconfigured cards were then sold to Chinese AI firms seeking accelerators restricted by US sanctions.
The unfortunate scenario highlights the need for enhanced vigilance when considering second-hand hardware purchases, especially when dealing with high-value items such as the RTX 4090. Despite the perceived safety of in-person transactions and photo verification, the prevalence of fraudulent incidents remains a looming threat.
This cautionary tale also serves as a reminder that even reputable sellers can pose risks when it comes to purchasing hardware components. Instances of buyers receiving weight-filled boxes instead of legitimate graphics cards from popular online retailers such as Newegg, and being sent putty-filled fake graphics cards from Amazon, further underscore the pervasive nature of fraudulent practices in the marketplace.
These distressing experiences illustrate the importance of due diligence and thorough scrutiny when engaging in second-hand transactions. Potential buyers must exercise caution and consider alternative measures to ensure the legitimacy of the products they are investing in. Furthermore, these incidents demand a reevaluation of the existing safeguards and regulatory measures within the second-hand marketplace, emphasizing the need for increased accountability and transparency.
In conclusion, Mr. Hong’s harrowing encounter with the purchased RTX 4090 serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with second-hand hardware transactions. The prevalence of fraudulent activities, particularly within the high-value technology market, underscores the necessity for heightened vigilance and caution. As technological advancements continue to drive demand for cutting-edge hardware, it is imperative for buyers to remain diligent and discerning when navigating the intricate landscape of second-hand purchases.
