The Most Common Nvidia RTX 5090 Ti Scams on Amazon to Avoid in 2026

Common Scams Targeting Nvidia RTX 5090 Ti Purchases on Amazon

The high demand and value of the Nvidia RTX 5090 Ti graphics card make it a prime target for various scams on Amazon. Scammers exploit the scarcity and desire for this powerful GPU, employing deceptive tactics to defraud buyers. Understanding these common fraudulent schemes is crucial for protecting yourself.

1. Bait-and-Switch Scams

This scam involves listing the RTX 5090 Ti at a suspiciously low price, often half of its MSRP or even less. When unsuspecting buyers purchase the card, they receive a completely different, low-value item, such as a fanny pack, rocks, or even an old, obsolete GPU. Sellers with seemingly good ratings can execute this scam, often by hacking into established accounts or using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) to appear legitimate.

2. Fake Listings and Counterfeit Products

Scammers create fake listings that mimic genuine RTX 5090 Ti products, or they may list the genuine product but ship a counterfeit or heavily modified version. In some cases, buyers receive a box that appears to be the correct GPU, but upon opening, it contains an older, less powerful card with swapped components or even just empty casings. Some have reported receiving products that were clearly used or tampered with, despite the listing indicating 'new'.

3. Off-Platform Payment Demands

While not explicitly detailed in the provided search results for this specific product, a common scam tactic is for sellers to request payment outside of Amazon's secure platform (e.g., via direct bank transfer, gift cards, or third-party payment apps). This bypasses Amazon's buyer protection policies, making it nearly impossible to recover funds if the product is not as described or never arrives.

4. Refurbished or Used Items Sold as New

Some sellers may attempt to pass off refurbished or used RTX 5090 Ti cards as new. Signs of this can include damaged packaging, signs of previous use like scratches or dust, or components that do not match the advertised specifications. Amazon's own resale program has also been implicated, with reports of returned items being resold without proper inspection.

5. Brushing Scam Item (Less Likely for High-Value Items)

While typically used for lower-value items to inflate review counts, it's theoretically possible for a scammer to send a low-value item instead of the RTX 5090 Ti as part of a brushing scam. However, given the high value of the GPU, this is a less common approach than the direct bait-and-switch.

Protecting Your Purchase with Safe Trade Services

For high-value transactions like purchasing an Nvidia RTX 5090 Ti, we strongly recommend utilizing Safe Trade Services' Premium Plan for ID verification. This adds an extra layer of security, helping to confirm the identity of the seller and mitigate risks associated with fraudulent listings and transactions. Always conduct high-value P2P transactions through a trusted, verified platform.