In the wake of Nvidia’s recent introduction of the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 graphics cards, users on eBay are finding creative ways to thwart scalpers and automated purchase bots. By posting fake listings—such as photos or illustrations of the RTX 5090, often presented in a humorous manner—sellers are attempting to trick bots designed to snap up these in-demand items for reselling at higher prices.
These misleading posts closely resemble legitimate product listings, featuring prices that align with the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) or even come in below it. Clever notes like “read description” are included to inform potential human buyers of the true nature of the product.
Upon closer inspection of these listings, it becomes clear that they are offering only images or illustrations of the graphics card, rather than the actual item itself. Some sellers explicitly state that buyers will receive a digital image via email or some random trinket from a donation shop, which clearly signals the intangible nature of the sale. For example, this particular listing clearly states—“THIS IS JUST A PICTURE OF THE RTX 5090 GRAPHICS CARD PRINTED IN BLACK AND WHITE FROM MY PRINTER. HUMANS DO NOT BUY! ZERO RETURNS! SALES ARE FINAL!”
This strategy appears to be working effectively. A search for “RTX 5090” on eBay reveals a multitude of listings like these, with some even securing sales. While it’s uncertain if these purchases were made by bots or unsuspecting buyers, the sheer volume of counterfeit listings has complicated matters for scalpers searching for authentic products.
The underlying motivation for these tactics is rooted in frustration over the limited availability of Nvidia’s latest RTX 50-series desktop GPUs, which officially went on sale just yesterday, January 30th. Despite Nvidia’s attempts to increase availability, the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 have been notoriously hard to find, creating a fervent demand that has led enthusiasts to camp outside stores in hopes of making a purchase.
Gamers Nexus has provided an insightful analysis of the ongoing RTX 50-series GPU shortages. The video reveals that major retailers like Micro Center, Best Buy, and Newegg experienced severely limited inventory that was sold out within hours, leaving many eager buyers disappointed.
In Japan, the situation was similarly hectic. Enthusiastic customers were spotted climbing fences to secure a GPU. To manage this overwhelming demand and deter scalping, a Japanese retailer adopted a lottery system, but the lottery drew to a close before many potential buyers even arrived, compounding their frustration.
Nvidia has openly acknowledged the expected high demand for its new RTX 5090 and 5080 graphics cards, anticipating stock shortages due to this overwhelming interest. Tim Adams, head of the GeForce community at Nvidia, noted on the company’s forums, “We expect substantial demand for the GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080, and we believe stock-outs may occur.” He reassured customers that Nvidia and its partners are continually shipping more stock to retailers to keep pace with consumer demand.
Reports indicate that the supply issues may last for up to three months, intensifying the challenges and giving scalpers more chances to exploit the situation. While purchasing through system integrators might provide an avenue to obtain a RTX 50-series GPU, expect to pay a premium—and be prepared for the possibility of receiving additional components you may not require if you already own a PC.
