32TB External Hard Drive Scam: Counterfeit Units Contain Glued microSD Cards

A recent online purchase turned into a costly lesson for a buyer who ordered three 32TB external hard drives from an unknown retailer. The customer expected high-capacity storage but received counterfeit units that failed to work. This incident highlights the risks of buying storage hardware from unverified sellers, especially when prices seem too good to be true. Consumers are advised to check the credibility of online sellers before purchasing high-value electronics.

Counterfeit units contained glued microSD cards instead of functional storage

The product in question was marketed as a 32TB external hard drive, a specification that is currently rare and expensive in the legitimate market. A Reddit user identified as FishBrain208 reported the issue after opening the drive casings. The seller did not disclose the name of their website, making it difficult for other consumers to avoid the same trap. The drives were sold as complete units but contained only microSD cards glued to a printed circuit board.

Technical inspection revealed that the internal components were completely different from what was advertised. Instead of standard hard disk drives, the cases held microSD cards attached with adhesive. These components could not function as 32TB external storage devices. The mismatch between the advertised capacity and the actual hardware confirms the items were fraudulent.

Market analysts and users attribute this type of scam to current supply chain issues in the storage industry. High demand for storage solutions, combined with ongoing DRAM shortages, has created a gap that counterfeiters attempt to fill. The Reddit community noted that 32TB external drives are extremely expensive, which should serve as a warning sign for potential buyers. Suspiciously low prices for high-capacity drives are often indicators of counterfeit products.