December 23, 2025, 3:15 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Prices for DRAM continue to skyrocket. Customers are so desperate that they are buying older processors to use DDR4 instead of DDR5 memory because it currently costs a bit less. DDR5 is now up to 400 percent more expensive than it was in September. This makes the memory sticks a prime target for scammers. They use the oldest trick in the book, swapping the expensive goods for outdated technology. Even Amazon has fallen for the scammers and shipped fake DDR5 from its own warehouse to customers.
Manipulated Memory in Online Orders
At least that’s the case according to a user on Reddit who wanted to build his first PC. The buyer had purchased a 32 GB Corsair Vengeance DDR5 kit, consisting of two RAM sticks, on Amazon. According to Idealo, these kits are currently selling for nearly 400 euros—almost four times as much as in October.
Upon opening the package, he noticed that the heat sinks on the memory modules were too loose. When attempting to install the modules, the real issue became apparent. The notch on the printed circuit board (PCB) did not match the intended slot on the motherboard. DDR4 and DDR5 RAM differ mechanically at this exact point.
Removing the heat sinks quickly revealed the problem: Someone had swapped the DDR5 modules for DDR4 sticks and disguised them with genuine Corsair heat sinks to create the impression of a current product. From the outside, the scam was hardly detectable.
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Counterfeit Goods from Amazon Warehouse
According to his own statements, the buyer ordered the RAM kit directly from Amazon, which acted as both the seller and the shipper. However, in a comment under the original post, he added that the shipment came from Amazon Warehouse. Warehouse is an Amazon offering for inspected, used, or opened products sold at reduced prices.
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Scammers repeatedly exploit Amazon’s return policies to remove parts from items or, as in the current case, swap expensive components for cheaper ones. Employees do not always catch this during return inspections, which is why incomplete or manipulated goods can reach buyers.
Known Scam
The buyer contacted customer service and received a replacement. At least Amazon maintained the original purchase price. As mentioned earlier, DDR5 prices are currently rising daily. The same 32-GB Corsair kit now costs about 100 pounds (approximately 115 euros) more than the buyer initially paid.
The incident is part of a series of similar scams involving DDR5 memory. It is therefore advisable to document the opening of packages containing high-priced PC components. This way, the condition of the goods and any discrepancies can be proven in case of a dispute.