AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 counterfeiting scam reported on Amazon

A new type of processor counterfeiting scam has been reported involving the high-end AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition. A Reddit user discovered that the CPU received after ordering from Amazon was actually an older Intel Core i processor with an AMD Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) attached to it.

The fraudulent hardware features a different pin layout and central SMD components characteristic of Intel chips, despite appearing to be an AMD product at first glance. This method allows scammers to potentially swap authentic components during returns, leaving subsequent customers with counterfeit hardware.

Users on Reddit have reported similar experiences, leading to multiple refund requests. Experts note that component shortages and rising prices for top-tier hardware, such as the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 graphics cards, may be driving an increase in these types of sophisticated scams.