New scam scheme on marketplaces: Buyers steal memory and chips from graphics cards before returning them

A new and particularly brazen scam targeting sellers of expensive graphics cards is spreading on marketplaces, including eBay. Buyers receive a fully working card, carefully remove its most valuable components — the GPU and video memory modules — and then return it as a “defective product.” This was reported by WCCFTech, citing a real case.

One seller on eBay reported sending a Zotac GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card worth $4000 in perfect condition. After the return, the device was completely non-functional. Upon disassembly, it was discovered that the GPU and all GDDR7 memory chips had been removed from the board. Externally, however, the card appeared intact — the casing, packaging, and cooling system were undamaged. The scammer had expertly concealed the tampering, and only a teardown revealed the extent of the theft.

The GPU and memory account for the vast majority of a modern graphics card’s cost — sometimes up to 80–90%. The remaining components (the board, connectors, heatsinks) are worth very little on the secondary market. This makes the scheme especially profitable: the scammer effectively keeps a nearly new card while returning a “brick” stripped of its most valuable parts.

Experts note that carrying out such an operation requires specialized skills and equipment — a professional soldering station, BGA soldering expertise, and anti-static conditions. This is unlikely to be the work of random individuals; it is more likely organized groups or component resellers are behind it.

So far, the number of such cases remains small, but they are already being reported. Sellers are advised to:

• document serial numbers of GPUs and memory chips with photos before shipping;
• record video of the packaging process and the card’s condition;
• upon return, request that the package be opened in the presence of a marketplace representative or an independent expert.

Marketplaces have not yet introduced specific measures targeting this scheme, but they are tightening return policies for high-value items.

In brief

Scammers on marketplaces (including eBay) buy expensive graphics cards (such as an RTX 5090 for $4000), carefully desolder the GPU and GDDR7 memory, and return a “defective” card missing its most valuable components.

Externally, the device appears intact, but it is effectively dead. The scheme requires professional soldering skills, and sellers lose most of the product’s value. It is recommended to document serial numbers and condition with photos and video before shipping.