– Counterfeit Samsung 990 Pro SSDs have been identified in both Japan and Germany, with the German fake being non-functional.
– The counterfeit SSDs mimic packaging and labels but reveal discrepancies like poorer print quality and different PCB color.
– Genuine Samsung SSDS can be distinguished using tools like Samsung Magician, which can identify non-authentic units even if they appear operational.
Counterfeit Samsung 990 Pro Found in Germany
Recently, there was a tight situation found in Germany where some fake SSDs were sold pretending to be the real Samsung 990 Pro, which normally costs around $319 for 1 TB. The incident is similar to what was seen in Japan, where cheaper SSDs with a fresh packaging were sold at the same high price as genuine ones. But in Germany, the fake SSDs are more obvious because they don’t even work properly.
Comparison of Packaging and Construction
A member from the ComputerBase community explains that they ordered two Samsung 990 Pros from an online shop in Austria earlier in April. The packaging seemed almost identical to the real, but when looked at closely, the print quality was lower, and some symbols like the CE mark were placed differently. After opening, it was clear these were fakes, especially because the stickers looked copied but the SSDs were on a blue circuit board, unlike the usual black board of authentic Samsung 990 Pro units.
Detection and Verification by Software
Connecting these SSDs to a computer shows they are recognized by programs like CrystalDiskInfo, but the details don’t match real Samsung devices — the memory isn’t correct and firmware IDs are off. Additionally, Samsung Magician software labels these SSDs as “non-Samsung”, confirming they are counterfeit. If you bought one lately, it’s best to run Samsung Magician or similar tools to verify its authenticity, because as in Japan, some fake SSDs are even functional and may appear normal at first.
The retailer in Austria is now investigating where they got these SSDs from, but how these counterfeit drives entered the market without being caught remains a mystery. This incident shows the importance of checking purchases carefully to avoid fake products.