Flashchiptutor's Flash Drive Facts Techchips SOSFakeFlash FakeFlashNews Fighting flash fraud on EbayPosted by inspectortech on September 22, 2009
The FrankenFlash Project’s IT team has been studying the reprogramming of memory chips for some time.
Before considering a repair, you should read this article first: Should You Repair A Fake USB Flash (Pen) Drive? It is based on what we have learned about the reprogramming and reviewing the experiences of those who have repaired or attempted to repair false capacity memory chips at our sites.
Victim Of Counterfeit Flash Voyager GT 16GB and 32GB Purchased On eBay Creates A Visual Guide
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Posted by inspectortech on December 11, 2008
FixFakeFlash from SOSFakeFlash, explains steps to rescue a fake flash (counterfeit) drive. How you can try to return it to its true size. Wrestling with FrankenFlash drives to make them useful is a mystery to most victims of fake flash drive purchases. The information FixFakeFlash has for you comes from the efforts of fake flash victims who succeeded in repairing their drives.
Before you begin, please read: Should You Repair A Fake USB Flash (Pen) Drive? from TechChips. Update September 23th, 2009.
To repair counterfeit (fake) flash drives you need the VID and the PID for a flash drive. This will help you determine the software tool required to perform a low level reformatting (commonly known as reflashing). Reformatting in an operating system is “high level” and can not repair the drive. The controller on the flash drive has been reprogrammed to lie – this is why you normally need a special software tool. They exist and are available, but you need to know which one you must use for your drive.
The VID is the Vendor information, the PID is the flash chip controller information. The PID is supposed to identify the chip set family for a software reprogramming tool. How to find this information? The easiest way is to download a program called chipgenius – it will read the drive for you. Only if chipgenius does not find any useful information or the information does not match anything known on the internet should you consider taking your USB flash drive apart. Some drives do not come apart easily so avoid this unless you have no other choice. In most cases you will not have to consider doing this.
Update 20091023: Please consult the new FAQ at FixFakeFlash Inspectortech for important information on repairing fake flash memory items before you attempt to repair.
Follow these steps to begin the journey to fix and repair your fake USB flash drive to its real size:
Posted in Advice, Resources, Tools | Tagged: Fix Fake Flash | 110 Comments »
Posted by inspectortech on October 4, 2009
FixFakeFlash – solution FC8308 controller identified with VID = 1111 PID = 2222, fake flash drive. The drive tested and repaired was from eBay Fake Flash Seller 123456wowo123456 aka mememao9898. Advertised as 16GB, it’s true capacity was 4GB. This fake flash drive can be repaired using the following information.
WiseOne repaired:
If you have this controller and or VID PID information, the solution may help you to repair your fake.
Posted in Alcor, FC8308 | Tagged: FixFakeFlash, Repair Fake Flash Drive Solution | 1 Comment »
Posted by inspectortech on August 13, 2009
What does a Counterfeit Corsair Flash Voyager GT usb flash drive look like? A recent victim on eBay documented his case, complete with purchase, feedback, testing, warnings to buyers and of course photographic evidence.
CaptainVoyager’s takes you step by step examining the flash drive with photos. Then he takes it apart. What does he find? Join CapatinVoyager on his detective mission and find out. His presentation is very different for the photo section – no text. You need to be a detective too! Hint. Examine the photo’s of the fake Flash Voyager GT, hover with your mouse to see his captions.
Visit CaptainVoyager’s page he made for you!
It’s his contribution to the war against fake flash usb drives and especially counterfeited brand names!
If you purchased a fake Flash Voyager GT usb flash drive advertised as 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB on eBay please report in to SOSFakeFlash using their Report A Fake Tab.
Posted in News | Tagged: Counterfeit Corsair Flash Voyager GT, FixFakeFlash, SOSFakeFlash | 1 Comment »
Posted by inspectortech on July 29, 2009
A Fake usb flash drive, is a memory pen stick that has been digitally altered – reprogrammed to lie to an operating system about the real size of it’s flash nand storage chip. Once you exceed true capacity of the chip, you begin to loose files. People do not suspect the real reason, thinking it an error in the data transfer. Only when it happens again and again do they suspect there is something more… How can you find out if you have a fake usb flash drive?
Posted in Flash Drive Education | Tagged: eBay Fraud, Fake Flash, FrankenFlash Project, How To Identify Fake Nand Flash Technology, PayPal Claim, SOSFakeFlash, USB Flash Chips, USB Flash Controllers | 2 Comments »
Posted by inspectortech on June 24, 2009
Is eBay the place to buy MP Players cheap? Can you get a 8GB or 16GB or 32GB Player on eBay for less that $40 or $50 US? SOSFakeFlash is launching an education week for consumers. Recently they launched an general education week on fake and counterfeit memory devices sold on eBay: SOSFakeFlash Consumer Education Week 20090605 – 20090612. The Problem of Counterfeit and Fake Memory Sold On Ebay
This time they will be show casing sellers who sold false capacity MP Players. Too many buyers fall for seller claims that the units are defective. Most never learn the truth, these items have had their flash chips manipulated to report a size much larger that the chips can support. SOSFakeFlash is inviting buyers to learn more and leave comments on their experiences.
Visit this site during the next week for an eye opening education!
http://sosfakeflash.wordpress.com/
The information is useful, not only to people who buy on eBay but any where on the internet for MP Players. Become a smart consumer!
Posted in News | Tagged: Cheap MP Players, eBay Fraud, Fake MP Players, FrankenFlash Project, SOSFakeFlash | Leave a Comment »
Posted by inspectortech on June 22, 2009
SOSFakeFlash begining June 24th, 2009 will launch a consumer awareness week for MP Players being sold on eBay. They will start by listing some of the best articles published by the FrankenFlash Project. This will be followed by alerts on fake flash sellers of MP Players on eBay. The canons are being loaded to fire at fraudsters who are minting money at buyers expense on eBay.
Visit http://sosfakeflash.wordpress.com/ to read all the new articles being published. Left menu column under recent posts.
If you have solutions to fixing fake MP Players send them in to sosfakeflashdrive@gmail.com for these sellers. Everyone is being asked to examine these sellers and select some eBay members who left postive feedback to test and to fight back if they were sold false capacity!
Posted in News | Leave a Comment »
Posted by inspectortech on June 12, 2009
SOSFakeFlash published a series of articles to educate consumers on the problem of fake mp players, usb flash drives and memory sticks sold on ebay during the week of June 5th 2009 to June 12th 2009. It includes information collected by the FrankenFlash Project over a 13th month period. The objective was to increase global awareness about the problem of false capacity devices being sold on eBay and to assist members to avoid buying false capacity items. These devises can be dangerous to files as they will be lost the moment the true capacity of the flash drive chips is exceeded.
Consumers will fall prey to fake flash sellers, not only in the Orient but any country if they make a dangerous mistake. Not understanding the true costs of nand flash drive chips. Many assume that the reason for the low prices on eBay is the result of cutting out the “Middle Man”. Anyone who follows this line of reasoning is in for a very unpleasant surprise. The FrankenFlash project after many months of research reveals the truth in the hope that people will avoid becoming victims in the future. The old saying “You get what you pay for” is stinging!
Published:
Additional Reading:
Posted in Flash Drive Education | Tagged: data loss flash memory, ebay fake guide memory, ebay fake memory scam, eBay Fraud, fake pendrive, FrankenFlash Project | 1 Comment »
Posted by inspectortech on June 5, 2009
SOSFakeFlash Announces Consumer Education Week To Fight Fraud on fake up players, usb flash drives and memory cards. The FrankenFlash Project is alarmed at the escalation the selling of these devices. Consumers are made victims each day in over 63 countries.
After 15 months of investigation it is clear that consumers are ill informed. As a result they fall prey to fraudsters and scammers who sell them false capacity devices. SOSFakeFlash intends to reveal the truth and to demonstrate that when consumers hunt for bargains and cheap prices there is only one outcome – the purchase of a false capacity item. The consequences can be lethal. It is not only money that is lost but also data.
The flash nand chips used in up players, usb flash drives and memory cards are being digitally altered to report a capacity much higher than the chips can support. This digitally altering occurs in the orient and is sent around the world through internet wholesaler sites in the orient.
People interested in large profits buy these items and as a result inflict misery on others. Too many sellers do not search their products or test them properly. There is no fabulous profit in selling true capacity up players, usb flash drives and memory cards. This is a myth and the FrankenFlash project announces zero tolerance for any seller proven to have sold false capacity devices. If any seller is caught they will be published on the internet. The record will be permanent and will under no circumstances be retracted. It is a sellers duty to research and test the items they offer for sale.
Please visit http://sosfakeflash.wordpress.com/ to see what they reveal. eBay will be exposed as will PayPal, both are complicit in aiding and promoting the sale of false capacity items. Buyers also need to be better informed on the true costs – there is little mark up involved.
SOSFakeFlash will reveal the sad truth with evidence: “You get what you paid for”! This will be unpopular with victims.
To begin understanding the truth of what is happening you are invited to read:
Posted in News | Leave a Comment »
Posted by inspectortech on May 22, 2009
H2testw is the software tool most used by eBay victims of fake mp players to test and find the true capacity of MP Players that are fake. Finding the right software to repair an MP Player can be challenging. Some times it helps to have a look inside to see what the flash drive storage chip is and what the controller chip is. This is the first article to help you learn more about fake MP Players and what they look like inside.
This article is reprinted from SOSFakeFlash and uses a documented fake MP Player as an example.
SOSFakeFlash publishs a lot of consumer alerts on fake flash sellers prowling ebay for buyer victims. Evidence is collected and stored in a database. eBayer id’s, eBay item numbers, the model sold by the seller along with other important information.
It leads to alerts being issued on the internet and sellers being added to the famous eBay Fake Flash Sellers List. As time goes by the counts against sellers increase. Some times a victim will report in months after the fact, long after the ebay listings have disappeared. The project works hard to preserve information. Alerts are issued after the information has been collected, not before! Necessary given eBay’s recent behavior of shutting fake flash sellers down quickly to be able to remove all traces of lising information.
SOSFakeFlash, in this article will take you inside of a fake MP Player purchased on eBay and show you how it is possible to prove it is a false capacity, confirming what the program H2testw 1.4 reports in capacity testing.
Paypal likes to demand that victims return fake flash usb drives or mp players or memory cards to get a refund. “Return the crime to the criminal!” they order. On other occasions they will dismiss the test results of H2testw 1.4 and demand you find somebody at Southby’s to certify that you received a counterfeit.
The FrankenFlash Project has been in operation for over 14 months, they know something about fake mp players, usb flash drives and memory cards. The simple fact is, when the devices are taken apart – the truth is revealed. It only confirms what the program H2testw 1.4 reports. The secret? It lies in the actual flash drive nand memory chips in the device!
For most victims, taking apart a fake MP Player is not a task they feel up to. The latest contributor, Niko is up to the task and is presenting his findings for everyone to see! He has two fake MP Players to reveal to you, this is the first one sold by hitech2day. You will quickly see there is nothing “defective” here! It is clear deception on the part of fake flash sellers.
To PayPal and eBay, do pay attention! To fake flash sellers, watch out! We do our homework “dears “.
Listed on eBay hitech2day offered this model. Is it 16GB?
When Niko opened the drive this is what he saw:
So what did the flash drive chip for storage show?
It was a samsung 904 k9lbgo8uom pcbo CAK468P2
If you visit InspectorTech’s site you will see the following post: Samsung Nand Flash – How To Decode Flash Storage Chips To Find True Capacity
and if you scroll down you can visit the samsung link. Give this a try. http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/partnumberDecoder.do
now enter the information characters for:
k9lbgo8uom
This is good practise for anyone with a samsung nand flash drive chip to try out!
There is no “m” available for the last character.
So click on search.
So here we see the real chip size. It is 32G bit. 8 bits is a byte so we need to divide by 8. That makes 32Gb /8 = 4GB.
So eBay seller hitech2day has lied about the true capacity! hitech2day was not selling a 16GB MP Player but a 4GB MP Player. eBay, PayPal are you still with us? Can you do the math and follow the evidence? Do you really think ebay buyers are complaining without cause? If ebay members can do their homework, why can’t you? It’s not rocket science, you know.
Now the controller chip for the MP Player difficult to read in the photo:
It is:
AK2025
8L014BA 1LP
We can’t tell you much about it at the moment.
eBay members are not imagining things about the fake mp players being sold on eBay.
The problem is very real! Both eBay and PayPal are very much aware of it. Only they prefer to show a blind eye. After all, the money is good! The FrankenFlash project has observed that eBay and PayPal do not intend to put a stop to the traffic in fake mp players being sold.
You don’t believe us? Please have a look at this:
Just how far back in time does it go? If you are a victim of a fake flash MP Player, make sure that you register there. You can also register for other fake flash items too! Let it grow! And grow! The FrankenFlash Project collects information too, so do not forget SOSFakeFlash or to report in! Every item matters and counts.
SOSFakeFlash issue’s alerts on the internet to warn and assist victims. They can not and will not issue an alert without evidence. It is very powerful! It is a record and it stays forever. They also will NOT remove an alert! If a seller on eBay is caught, the alert stays!
Niko is currently searching for a solution to repair this fake MP Player. If one is found he will present it to everyone.
Keep an eye out for Niko’s other fake flash MP seller and his repair solution coming soon.
SOSFakeFlash published an alert on seller hitech2day, please read: hitech2day Ebay Fake Flash Seller Alert – China Fake MP Players
Posted in Flash Drive Education | Tagged: China Fake Flash, eBay Fake Flash Guides, Fake MP Players, Fix Fake Flash, H2testw, Repair Fake MP Player, SOSFakeFlash.FixFakeFlash | 2 Comments »
Posted by inspectortech on May 21, 2009
Is this MP Player sold by lovehuangfeifei2008 really 8GB? No it is not. It is only 2GB. So how did a victim fix this MP Player?
See how Niko managed to restore the Fake MP Player sold by lovehuangfeifei2008 to it’s real 2GB size. The solution could help you repair your fake MP Player to it’s true size so you can use it.
Posted in AK1025 | Tagged: FixFakeFlash, Repair Fake MP Player, Repair Fake MP Player Solution | 4 Comments »
Posted by inspectortech on April 13, 2009
Suspect that you have a counterfeit (fake) MP Player, USB Flash drive or Memory Card that has been digitally altered to report a larger capacity than it really is? Known as “Fakes” you will find them for sale on eBay, on wholesaler internet sites and even in small retail stores around the world.
Real flash chips from genuine manufacturers have been are upgraded (reprogrammed) to lie about their real size to operating systems. Samsung Nand Flash chips have been targeted by those who engage in this devious activity. Only when one exceeds the real capacity of the chip, does data loss begin. Buyers trying to find why the devices fail frequently take them apart to find out why they don’t hold the advertised capacity.
The first step is to try and decode the chip being used. If the brand is Samsung you need to write down the information on the chip so you can find out what the real size is is for the chip.
The black market is busy changing the sizes of Flash nand chips with capacity of 512MB, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB to report sizes from 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 60GB, 64GB, 120GB, 128GB, 240GB, 250GB, 260GB, 320GB, 360GB, 500GB, 512GB. So how can you find out the real size of the chip in your MP Player, USB Flash Drive or Memory Card?
Samsung use coding, where each position in the chip’s serial identification has special meaning. You can use the chart to check the real size. The decoding chart is found at Samsung under Nand Flash. They also publish catalogues of the chips they make that you can download and consult.
For capacity storage sizing, Gb is Gigabits. 8 bits make a byte. So if you see 32Gb it is 32/8 = 4GB. Always divide by 8. GB is Gigabytes. Usually advertised sizes for storage use GB – Gigabytes. This is what consumers understand best for storage. It is very important to understand this difference when you consult a manufacturers decoder. If the ‘b’ is in lowercase they are referring to bits, not bytes as most everyone expects.
Samsung also offers Product Catalogues (Memory and Storage Selection Guide) in pdf file format that list all the flash drive storage chips they have made.
FixFakeFlash suggests you visit Samsung’s site get the most current information and download their pdf files:
You will find their decoder easy to use. Make sure that when you open your fake flash item that you copy all the information about the chip down correctly.
You can verify your results with H2testw 1.4 – Gold Standard In Detecting USB Counterfeit Drives
If you confirm that you have a fake – a digitally alterned storage chip, please report it to Samsung and let them know that one of their chips has been reprogrammed into frankenflash. The more information the genuine manufacturers receive the more it will help them to track and investigate.
If you have a digital camera, photograph the chip close up if you can so people can easily read the serial and also do one of the whole device. This is evidence you can submit in a legal claim or as additional information in a PayPal dispute issued for an eBay purchase.
Posted in Samsung Nand Flash | Tagged: Fake MP Players, Fake USB Flash Drive, Fix Fake Flash, Fraud USB Flash, Multi Level Cell (MCL) technology, Nand Flash, Samsung, Single Level Cell (SLC) technology | 2 Comments »
Posted by inspectortech on April 13, 2009
Suspect that you have a counterfeit (fake) MP Player, USB Flash drive or Memory Card that has been digitally altered to report a larger capacity than it really is? Known as “Fakes” you will find them for sale on eBay, on wholesaler internet sites and even in small retail stores around the world.
Real flash chips from genuine manufacturers have been are upgraded (reprogrammed) to lie about their real size to operating systems. Hynix Nand Flash chips have been targeted by those who engage in this devious activity. Only when one exceeds the real capacity of the chip, does data loss begin. Buyers trying to find why the devices fail frequently take them apart to find out why they don’t hold the advertised capacity.
The first step is to try and decode the chip being used. If the brand is Hynix you need to write down the information on the chip so you can find out what the real size is is for the chip.
The black market is busy changing the sizes of Flash nand chips with capacity of 512MB, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB to report sizes from 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 60GB, 64GB, 120GB, 128GB, 240GB, 250GB, 260GB, 320GB, 360GB, 500GB, 512GB. So how can you find out the real size of the chip in your MP Player, USB Flash Drive or Memory Card?
Hynix use coding, where each position in the chip’s serial identification has special meaning. You can use the chart to check the real size. The decoding chart is found at Hynix Nand Flash. They also publish catalogues of the chips they make that you can download and consult. They have an excellent site, it is up to date and well maintained.
For capacity storage sizing, Gb is Gigabits. 8 bits make a byte. So if you see 32Gb it is 32/8 = 4GB. Always divide by 8. GB is Gigabytes. Usually advertised sizes for storage use GB – Gigabytes. This is what consumers understand best for storage. It is very important to understand this difference when you consult a manufacturers decoder. If the ‘b’ is in lowercase they are referring to bits, not bytes as most everyone expects.
Hynix also offers Data Books in pdf file format that list all the flash drive storage chips they have made. FixFakeFlash suggests you visit Hynix’s site get the most current information and download their pdf files:
You will find their decoder easy to use. Make sure that when you open your fake flash item that you copy all the information about the chip down correctly.
You can verify your results with H2testw 1.4 – Gold Standard In Detecting USB Counterfeit Drives
If you confirm that you have a fake – a digitally altered storage chip, please report it to Hynix and let them know that one of their chips has been reprogrammed into Frankenflash. The more information the genuine manufacturers receive the more it will help them to track and investigate.
If you have a digital camera, photograph the chip close up if you can so people can easily read the serial and also do one of the whole device. This is evidence you can submit in a legal claim or as additional information in a PayPal dispute issued for an eBay purchase.
Posted in Hynix Nand Flash | Tagged: Fake MP Players, Fake USB Flash Drive, Fix Fake Flash, Fraud USB Flash, Hynix, Multi Level Cell (MCL) technology, Nand Flash, Single Level Cell (SLC) technology | 1 Comment »
Posted by inspectortech on April 13, 2009
Suspect that you have a counterfeit (fake) MP Player, USB Flash drive or Memory Card that has been digitally altered to report a larger capacity than it really is? Known as “Fakes” you will find them for sale on eBay, on wholesaler internet sites and even in small retail stores around the world.
Real flash chips from genuine manufacturers have been are upgraded (reprogrammed) to lie about their real size to operating systems. Micron Nand Flash chips have been targeted by those who engage in this devious activity. Only when one exceeds the real capacity of the chip, does data loss begin. Buyers trying to find why the devices fail frequently take them apart to find out why they don’t hold the advertised capacity.
The first step is to try and decode the chip being used. If the brand is Micron you need to write down the information on the chip so you can find out what the real size is is for the chip.
The black market is busy changing the sizes of Flash nand chips with capacity of 512MB, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB to report sizes from 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 60GB, 64GB, 120GB, 128GB, 240GB, 250GB, 260GB, 320GB, 360GB, 500GB, 512GB. How can you find out the real size of the chip in your MP Player, USB Flash Drive or Memory Card?
For capacity storage sizing, Gb is Gigabits. 8 bits make a byte. So if you see 32Gb it is 32/8 = 4GB. Always divide by 8. GB is Gigabytes. Usually advertised sizes for storage use GB – Gigabytes. This is what consumers understand best for storage. It is very important to understand this difference when you consult a manufacturers decoder. If the ‘b’ is in lowercase they are referring to bits, not bytes as most everyone expects.
Micron’s website provides searches for the flash chips. Make sure that when you open your fake flash item that you copy all the information about the chip down correctly.
FixFakeFlash suggests you visit Micron’s site get the most current information using the links below:
You can verify your results with H2testw 1.4 – Gold Standard In Detecting USB Counterfeit Drives
If you confirm that you have a fake – a digitally altered storage chip, please report it to Micron and let them know that one of their chips has been reprogrammed into Frankenflash. The more information the genuine manufacturers receive the more it will help them to track and investigate.
If you have a digital camera, photograph the chip close up if you can so people can easily read the serial chip information and also photograph the whole device. This is evidence you can submit in a legal claim or as additional information in a PayPal dispute issued for an eBay purchase.
Posted in Micron Nash Flash | Tagged: Fake MP Players, Fake USB Flash Drive, Fix Fake Flash, Fraud USB Flash, Micron, Multi Level Cell (MCL) technology, Nand Flash, Single Level Cell (SLC) technology | Leave a Comment »
Posted by inspectortech on April 13, 2009
Suspect that you have a counterfeit (fake) MP Player, USB Flash drive or Memory Card that has been digitally altered to report a larger capacity than it really is? Known as “Fakes” you will find them for sale on eBay, on wholesaler internet sites and even in small retail stores around the world.
Real flash chips from genuine manufacturers have been are upgraded (reprogrammed) to lie about their real size to operating systems. Toshiba Nand Flash chips have been targeted by those who engage in this devious activity, though not has often as for other manufacturers. Only when one exceeds the real capacity of the chip, does data loss begin. Buyers trying to find why the devices fail frequently take them apart to find out why they don’t hold the advertised capacity.
The first step is to try and decode the chip being used. If the brand is Toshiba you need to write down the information on the chip so you can find out what the real size is is for the chip.
The black market is busy changing the sizes of Flash nand chips with capacity of 512MB, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB to report sizes from 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 60GB, 64GB, 120GB, 128GB, 240GB, 250GB, 260GB, 320GB, 360GB, 500GB, 512GB. So how can you find out the real size of the chip in your MP Player, USB Flash Drive or Memory Card?
Toshiba use coding, but this information is not available to the public. You can visit their site to match your chip.
For capacity storage sizing, Gb is Gigabits. 8 bits make a byte. So if you see 32Gb it is 32/8 = 4GB. Always divide by 8. GB is Gigabytes. Usually advertised sizes for storage use GB – Gigabytes. This is what consumers understand best for storage. It is very important to understand this difference when you consult a manufacturers decoder. If the ‘b’ is in lowercase they are referring to bits, not bytes as most everyone expects.
FixFakeFlash suggests you visit Toshiba’s site get the most current information using the link below.
Make sure that when you open your fake flash item that you copy all the information about the chip down correctly.
You can verify your results with H2testw 1.4 – Gold Standard In Detecting USB Counterfeit Drives
If you confirm that you have a fake – a digitally altered storage chip, please report it to Toshiba and let them know that one of their chips has been reprogrammed into Frankenflash. The more information the genuine manufacturers receive the more it will help them to track and investigate.
If you have a digital camera, photograph the chip close up if you can so people can easily read the serial and also do one of the whole device. This is evidence you can submit in a legal claim or as additional information in a PayPal dispute issued for an eBay purchase.
Posted in Toshiba Nand Flash | Tagged: Fake MP Players, Fake USB Flash Drive, Fix Fake Flash, Fraud USB Flash, Multi Level Cell (MCL) technology, Nand Flash, Single Level Cell (SLC) technology, Toshiba | 2 Comments »
Posted by inspectortech on April 11, 2009
Would you like to see the oldest and still very popular fake usb flash drive sold on eBay and available at internet wholesaler sites in China? This drive normally doesn’t have a genuine flash drive capacity more than 2GB but it has been reprogrammed to false capacity sizes as high as 64GB!
Important Reading:
H2testw 1.4 – Gold Standard In Detecting USB Counterfeit Drives
Report in to SOSFakeFlash if your testing confirms you have a false capacity device.
It has been sold for several years on eBay, by many fake flash sellers. If you see a drive like this being sold – make your bidding fingers run in the opposite direction! There is something special about this particular fake besides the fact that more eBayers have been stung by this one model then any other. This is the false capacity usb flash drive that started the war on fake flash selling. If you are reading articles at one of the FrankenFlash Project websites – you can thank this model.
One of the good things about this fake is that it is easy to take a part to decode the flash chip and the controller chip. It usually has an icreate controller but the flash drive chips differ. It has been sold for very low prices and very high prices. Much depends on the size of the false capacity. For example if you want it to pretend to be 32GB this is a wholesale price being offered at a site in the orient for resellers.
The seller says there are 8 4GB flash chips inside. Hmmm.
The circuit board is 2 inches long. So how could you get 8 4GB flash chips and the controller chip to fit even if you use both sides? Old flash drives generally have a flash drive chip 3/4 inch long. Even if they are 1/2 inch long each, there is no place for the controller chip. The icreate chip is 1/4 inch in length. Flash drive chips need a distance from each other for soldering. To make 8 chips seen as one, you need a very advanced controller and that would cost $
It has been sold under so many descriptions and so many sizes. In the past, listings would boost about it being a Samsung flash drive. 50% of fake flash sellers on eBay still offer this ancient. It can be ordered wholesale in large quantities for as low as $2.5 Small wonder then that it continues to be present on eBay.
Use it at it’s false capacity and you will lose data.
Victims complain it stores files in Chinese. Please, nobody is kidding here but people unfamiliar with computers and technology have said this and not once either. No it does not store files in Chinese, but the swiggles and strange characters one often sees is the result of corruption once you exceed the true capacity. Not only that, you can not delete the files or folders. You have to reformat it in the operating system to begin another cycle of fake flash data loss.
The good news is that this is one of the easiest fakes to repair. And once repaired to it’s tiny real capacity it behaves.
This classic of classics will be around for a long time to come. It is very inexpensive for resellers, the temptation just too great. Mostly you will find it at 16GB these days. The higher false capacities are just too obvious to most and real 32GB and 64GB flash drives can be found under $150 these, with rebates from genuine brand, a lot less.
So if you see this drive advertised for more than 2GB in size stay clear. By the way, it comes in true capacities as low as 512MB…
If you want to review all the counterfeits found on eBay you can visit these two sites. Just type in the word Kingston in the search box to see what is currently documented:
Posted in Flash Drive Education | Tagged: Counterfeit Flash Drives, Counterfeit Kingston, eBay Fake Flash Guides, FlashDriveFacts, FrankenFlash Project, Fraud USB Flash, SOSFakeFlash | Leave a Comment »
Posted by inspectortech on April 5, 2009
Due to heavy bandwidth and the recent attack on http://ebay.dybteam.com/ the FrankenFlash Project has removed this website.
It addressed Bayers who suffered from fake and false capacity MP Players, USB flash drives and Memory Cards Purchased on eBay. Specializing in providing translation to reach the global community, eBayers Against False Capacity Flash will be missed.
It is not easy to fight the the issue of fake MP Players, Memory Cards and Usb flash drives. Fraudsters and scammers are finding their sales decreasing. That is what the project has in mind. Eliminating the traffic in false capacity fake MP Players, Usb Flash drives and MP Players. The profits made by these scammers and fraudsters is alarming. The damage being done to buyers with lost information is terrible. It is a war. Fake Flash needs to be stopped. eBay is the first area to be addressed. Fortunately there are team members who have a solid IT background working in the project.
Who has contributed to the fight? Everyone. From housewife and causal computer user, to accountants and IT professionals. Teenagers, Truck Drivers and Octogenarians – all have tried to give a helping hand. It’s a global problem. It needs to be stopped. The project has replaced http://ebay.dybteam.com/ with:
we don’t intend to let the international community down. Ebayers Against Fake Flash Devices II has the same functionality of the old site. Translation will be slower but it is now offered in 42 languages. It offers caching but will only translate 1 article every 11 minutes. In time the cache will build to provide everyone with the information they need in languages they understand.
For translation on news for fake flash you can visit http://fakeflashnews.totalh.com/ FakeFlashNews II.
Posted in News | Tagged: Counterfeit Flash Drives, eBay Fraud, FrankenFlash Project, H2testw, Hong Kong Fake Flash, PayPal, SOSFakeFlash | Leave a Comment »
Posted by inspectortech on April 5, 2009
MP Players are hot on eBay! Beware. 8GB and 16GB Players with MP3 or MP4 are likely to be fakes or counterfeits if you bought at low prices. If you are lucky your MP player will be 2GB or 4GB – not more.
Fake MP Players on eBay are an old story and it’s been around for several years. Every day there is a new crop of victims. Why? Bargain hunting! SOSFakeFlash has no choice but to issue this warning. Do not buy any MP Players on eBay advertised as 8GB or 16GB. Period! Stop looking for bargains! You are not going to get a real 8GB or 16GB at $25 to $50.
We know that economic conditions are hard, but you need to be realistic about paying fair prices. If you want to pay less and get more – welcome to fake flash hell!
You might find SOSFakeFlash’s words harsh. They are. Too many people are being frauded and few get their money back. Many eBayers are conned into believing their MP Player is “defective”. There is nothing defective in reprogramming a flash drive chip to lie about it’s size!
Make sure to look at the reference reading presented below for additional information and advice. Also see the list of eBay Sellers caught selling fake MP Players as of April 4th, 2009 at the end of this article
Most of the Fake MP Players are coming from sellers in Hong Kong and China. There appear to be two distinct rings operating under many id’s. It is a fake flash collective. Beware that due to SOSFakeFlash’s internet presence eBay sellers are now listing advertising local countries. You will only realize the truth when your MP Player arrives.
The profits from selling fake MP Players is mind numbing! Current estimates are 1 in a 250 sold leads to a PayPal dispute, that is 249 ahead. Both eBay and fake flash seller are dancing with fake flash profit joy – at your expense!
Avoid the misery of filing disputes. The pain grows when eBay quickly suspends the seller, whoops all listings gone, all evidence gone. You will have to crawl under the hood of your Paypal account and do a lot of extra digging to file a dispute when a seller is deregistered.
eBay and PayPal are not not going to make it easy for you. The harder the better. After all they don’t want to refund you. eBay has never warned members who bought from a fake flash seller and they never will. Why? It means admitting to the fact they have a problem.
Never pay for an MP Player using your bank account, use your credit card with PayPal. It gives you a better chance of recovering your money. PayPal hates it. Fake flash sellers will hate it more! PayPal may say they can’t refund you because they need to get to the fake flash sellers funds. Funny how quickly they will claw back the money from the fraudster when the credit card company does a reversal!
For now, do not buy MP Players at 8GB 16GB with MP3 MP4 on eBay. Save up until you have enough to buy a real one locally. There are just too many fakes. eBay is not cleaning things up, instead they registering sellers so they can remove listings and all traces of what these scammers sold! The fraud is astonishing.
If you bought an MP Player on eBay, tested it and found out you have a fake, make sure you leave a negative immediately! File a dispute afterwards. Never withdraw your negative in exchange for a refund. Never return a fake with the hope or promise of your refund. Also be a good citizen and do your part – contact other buyers who left positive feedback and get them to test! If you left positive feedback – do follow up feedback indicating that you really bought a fake! Add in your feedback the web address sosfakeflash.wordpress.com – our calling card and message to fake flash sellers and to assist other eBayers trying to find the truth and get help!
Also visit the new site http://flashdrivefacts.wordpress.com/ and read:
Report in to SOSFakeFlash if your testing confirms you have a false capacity device.
Now, have a look at the sellers caught by SOSFakeFlash so far.
Posted in News | Tagged: China Fake Flash, Counterfeit Flash Drives, eBay Fraud, Fake MP Players, Fraud USB Flash, Hong Kong Fake Flash, PayPal, SOSFakeFlash | Leave a Comment »
Posted by inspectortech on April 1, 2009
Are you thinking of obeying PayPals demands to return fake MP Players, Memory Cards or usb flash drives purchased on eBay from a fake flash seller to get a refund? SOSFakeFlash has published many articles on why you should not. We think you should read the latest article just published by FakeFlashNews.
After reading it please consult PayPal How Long Do You Have To Claim For A Refund In Disputes? A Guide About PayPal From eBayer’s Experiences. and read all the helpful articles published in that guide to assist victims of fake flash purchases on eBay!
Posted in News | Tagged: Ebay, ebay fake memory stick, ebay fake mp player, ebay fake usb, eBay Fraud, FakeFlashNews, FrankenFlash Project, PayPal, PayPal Refunds, SOSFakeFlash | Leave a Comment »
Posted by inspectortech on March 20, 2009
The FrankenFlash Project has a new site that will be joining the project very soon. FLASHDRIVEFACTS at http://flashdrivefacts.wordpress.com/ will address consumer education on the subject of flash technology for MP Players, USB Flash Drives and Memory Cards. Chaired by Flashchiptutor, it will expose counterfeit and fake items available on the international market.
Why is there a need for a new site? How can you help?
Posted in News | Tagged: Counterfeit USB Flash Drives, eBay Scams, Fake Flash China, Fake Flash Hong Kong, Fake Memory Cards, Fake MP Players, FrankenFlash Project, SOSFakeFlash | Leave a Comment »
Posted by inspectortech on March 8, 2009
FakeFlashNews has just released a new guide to help people detect genuine usb flash drives made by Transcend from counterfeits. Transcend now joins Sony and Kingston to have counterfeit usb flash drives sold on eBay. Read Guide – Protect Yourself Against Counterfeit Fake Transcend USB Flash Drives – Product Verification
Posted in News | Tagged: SOSFakeFlash, Transcend Flash Drive Verifcation, Transcend USB Flash Drive Counterfeits | Leave a Comment »
