Counterfeit SSDs and the Great NAND Memory Shortage Conundrum

Amidst the global NAND memory shortage, the market has witnessed an uptick in the sales of sophisticated counterfeit SSDs. A Reddit user from India, known as xox-lover, shared a story of purchasing a flagship Samsung 990 PRO with a 2TB capacity. The offer was enticing, as the device was sold for just $207 instead of the official price, which currently hovers around $330.

After installing the drive, both Windows and the popular utility CrystalDiskInfo identified the device as a Samsung 990 PRO operating in PCIe 3.0 x4 mode. However, the actual performance was disastrously low: read speeds did not surpass 20 MB/s, and write speeds were merely 10 MB/s, which is hundreds of times below the original’s specs.

Neither reinstalling drivers nor changing slots improved the disk’s functionality. Only Samsung’s official utility, Samsung Magician, resolved the mystery. Unlike third-party software, it performed a deep verification and issued an immediate warning: “This drive is not a genuine SSD from Samsung with a valid serial number.”

“Counterfeits have flooded local markets, online platforms, and even some distributors, who may themselves fall victim to scams. Fortunately, because the seller is a good friend of mine and knows I am not trying to deceive him, he is fully cooperating with a refund or replacement for an official product. I’m relieved I won’t suffer losses, but I feel sorry for those who buy from random sellers and find themselves in an inescapable situation,” wrote xox-lover.

Recent studies indicate a notable rise in counterfeit electronics sales fueled by high demand and the scarcity of genuine products such as NAND memory chips worldwide. As the rise of counterfeit products continues, consumers are advised to verify product authenticity with manufacturer-specific tools to avoid falling prey to fraud.