Someone sold their RTX 4090 graphics card recently, only to receive it back with key parts missing. The seller shipped the card to a California business with excellent feedback ratings. They wisely photographed everything beforehand and purchased insurance for the transaction. The buyer immediately requested a return, claiming the card showed no video output. When the package arrived back with the seller, the GPU had visible damage marks and a bent mounting bracket.
After checking the refunded card, the seller discovered that all VRAM chips and the GPU silicon had been removed. This surprising discovery from a seemingly legitimate buyer with 30,000 positive reviews left many questions unanswered. Some Reddit users suggested the buyer's account might have been hacked. The missing components will probably end up in China, repackaged into different models or special AI-focused cards with expanded memory.
This incident highlights growing dangers in the used GPU market. Graphics cards remain in high demand, pushing many shoppers toward second-hand options through platforms like eBay or Craigslist. Buyers and sellers should exercise extreme caution when trading expensive computer components online. Taking detailed photos, purchasing insurance, and keeping thorough records can help protect against increasingly sophisticated scams targeting valuable computer hardware.
After checking the refunded card, the seller discovered that all VRAM chips and the GPU silicon had been removed. This surprising discovery from a seemingly legitimate buyer with 30,000 positive reviews left many questions unanswered. Some Reddit users suggested the buyer's account might have been hacked. The missing components will probably end up in China, repackaged into different models or special AI-focused cards with expanded memory.
This incident highlights growing dangers in the used GPU market. Graphics cards remain in high demand, pushing many shoppers toward second-hand options through platforms like eBay or Craigslist. Buyers and sellers should exercise extreme caution when trading expensive computer components online. Taking detailed photos, purchasing insurance, and keeping thorough records can help protect against increasingly sophisticated scams targeting valuable computer hardware.