https://wccftech.com/intel-fake-counterfeit-desktop-cpus-china-retail-market/

Counterfeit and fake CPU scams have been going on for years and usually, its customers who have been a victim to these illegal activities, however, as per a new report by HKEPC, it looks like even the major tech companies are falling prey to these. In the report, it is mentioned that China-based shopkeepers and 3rd party resellers have been trying to RMA massive amounts of counterfeit Intel CPUs directly to Intel to which Intel has advised customers to be aware of such activities and try to buy their CPUs from official channels.

Intel and AMD counterfeit CPUs have been circulating the retail and used processor market for years. The main scam is when 3rd party resellers try to sell buyers a CPU that isn't similar to the one they had ordered. This can be achieved in many ways with the most common example being the faked IHS. The integrated heat spreader which sits on top of the CPU die bears critical info of the CPU itself such as the process name, number, spec code, clock speed, and batch number. The IHS also carries the official logo.