ZOTAC RTX 5090 Box Scam Shocks Micro Center Customers — 32 Cases Reported Involving Backpacks Instead of GPUs
The launch of the ultra-anticipated GeForce RTX 5090 has been marred by an unprecedented retail scandal. In a bizarre and troubling incident, over 30 customers who purchased ZOTAC GeForce RTX 5090 graphics cards from Micro Center’s Santa Clara location reportedly opened sealed boxes only to discover backpacks instead of GPUs inside — with no graphics card in sight.
Scam Emerges Through Reddit — Backpacks Inside RTX 5090 Box
The first case was brought to public attention by Reddit user u/JamesFerg650, who shared their story on r/MicroCenter. According to the user, they had purchased a brand-new ZOTAC RTX 5090 at Micro Center only to find a few backpacks packed inside the GPU box.
What made the situation even more confusing was that the box appeared to be factory sealed, suggesting that the tampering did not occur at the retail level but rather somewhere upstream — likely during manufacturing or packaging.
Micro Center Responds: Over 30 Confirmed Incidents
After the Reddit post went viral, Micro Center confirmed at least 31 similar cases, all tied to the same Santa Clara store and the ZOTAC RTX 5090 model. The company released a statement acknowledging the reports and confirming that an internal investigation was underway in cooperation with its Santa Clara team.
"Our team is aware of these reports and are actively investigating the legitimacy of the issue... While they are aware of these reports, our team in-store will do everything they can in their typical process to check these items before they are purchased."
— Micro Center Santa Clara
In an update shared by VideoCardz, it was revealed that the altered GPU boxes originated from ZOTAC’s China factory, further intensifying the seriousness of the breach.
ZOTAC Reaches Out, Investigation Expected
The alarming reports have reached ZOTAC, which has reportedly contacted affected users directly on Reddit. However, no official public statement has been issued by the company as of writing. A full-scale investigation is now expected, with retail partners, ZOTAC, and possibly law enforcement needing to address what could amount to over $90,000 in missing inventory, based on the estimated retail value of 32 RTX 5090 cards.
Consumer Caution Advised
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of documenting high-value purchases. With GPU prices in the thousands, a quick unboxing video can serve as critical evidence in case something goes wrong — especially in the face of sophisticated scams that appear to involve the manufacturing level.
What’s your take on this surreal situation? Have you ever received something other than what you ordered in a sealed box? Let us know your thoughts or share your experience below.
