Counterfeit DDR5 RAM on Amazon – what’s behind it

With DDR5 prices soaring amid the ongoing DRAM crisis, a recent case shows that buyers need to watch out not only for inflated prices but also for outright fraud – even on platforms like Amazon. As user BravoNorris reported to hardware site VideoCardz, he ordered four ADATA XPG Caster 32 GB DDR5-6000 CL40 RAM kits from Amazon Spain. One of the packages, however, turned out to be a fake.

Although the packaging appeared sealed and looked genuine at first glance, it contained severely outdated RAM sticks – likely from the DDR or DDR2 era, although Reddit users are still debating the exact type. The modules were fitted with fake XPG labels, and a metal plate had been added to replicate the weight of a real DDR5 kit. This raises a troubling question: how could something like this slip through a platform that is generally considered as secure as Amazon?

Likely return fraud

Reddit users suspect return fraud as the most likely explanation. In this common scam, a previous buyer may have replaced the original RAM with outdated modules, resealed the packaging and returned it to Amazon. The tampered product was then apparently restocked and sold as new without adequate inspection. While this tactic is nothing new, it poses a greater risk to customers now, particularly with DDR5 prices at record highs.

ADATA has responded to the incident by urging customers to purchase products only from authorized retailers whenever possible. However, since Amazon itself is generally regarded as both authorized and reputable, the case highlights a broader issue – even major platforms are not immune to tampered returns and may lack sufficiently thorough checks to detect them. To help protect against counterfeits, ADATA directs users to its official verification page, where products can be checked for authenticity. The company also announced plans to step up market monitoring and raise awareness of such scams through its social media channels.