RMA fraud is no unknown thing when it comes to large retailers such as Amazon. Occasionally it happens that someone purchases a product and then returns/RMA's it with a different product inside the same box. This is actually surprisingly common when you are purchasing a graphics card or even a processor.


So, how does this happen to Amazon these days? The fake CPUs are equipped with Ryzen logo that’s been printed on the heatspreader which looks legitimate enough to pass inspection by an untrained eye. In the end it’s not an AMD Ryzen processor but an old Intel LGA 775 chip.

This process allows scammers to purchase CPUs and return fake ones, basically giving them a free CPU to sell to a legit user. A few years ago, we have seen something similar happen with AM3+ and FM2+. Worst case these fraudulent chips are even going to be sold to end customers, who in fact ordered a Ryzen processor.

Since these fake CPUs come with an LGA package, it’s unlikely that the motherboard is going to be damaged if an unexperienced user is going to try force the chip in place.

At the moment Amazon is working on this issue, though it’s unknown how many of these fake CPUs are in their inventory already. If you’re going to find a fake CPU, Amazon will refund or replace it quickly.



Source: RedGamingTech