Store Reveals GPU Swap Case: RTX 3070 Found Instead of RTX 5090

Japanese used computer store and recycling center Rivers Eco shared details of an unusual case. A customer approached the store claiming their system unit contained NVIDIA’s latest RTX 5090 graphics card. However, during equipment diagnostics, staff discovered that instead of the claimed flagship GPU, an older RTX 3070 was installed.

According to store representatives, fraudsters used specialized software to alter GPU identification data. This allowed them to deceive standard diagnostic tools and pass off the outdated graphics card as a high-end model. Such schemes not only mislead buyers but also pose significant risks for used hardware sellers, who must manually verify each component.

The incident once again drew attention to security concerns when purchasing used components online. Experts recommend buying hardware only from trusted sellers and always demanding a full equipment diagnostic before completing a transaction. This is particularly crucial for high-performance components like graphics cards, where price differences between models can reach thousands of dollars.