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Amazon files lawsuit over $4M in fake laptop and GPU refunds
Amazon filed a lawsuit in Washington state alleging a group called RBK orchestrated a refund fraud scheme, obtaining millions in refunds for products never returned. The scheme operated via Telegram with social-engineering tactics, and investigators traced activity to a Kazakhstan-based administrator. Amazon spent more than $75,000 on the investigation and seeks damages, restitution, attorney fees, and injunctive relief.
Why It Matters
The case highlights how refund fraud can exploit e-commerce systems and social networks, and underscores cross-border crime and enforcement challenges. It also shows corporate efforts to curb similar schemes through legal action and injunctions.
Timeline
3 Events
Amazon files lawsuit seeking damages and relief
April 21, 2026
Amazon files a lawsuit in Washington state District Court accusing a group using the name RBK of obtaining millions in refunds for products that were never returned. The company seeks damages, restitution, attorney fees, and injunctive relief, including a prohibition on RBK using Telegram or Amazon trademarks.
Investigation leads to fraud discovery and trace of administrator
April 21, 2026
Amazon's internal investigators uncover the fraud after a company investigator posed as a buyer and purchased a PlayStation Portal Remote Player for $199 plus $13.18 in tax, then paid RBK $100 in bitcoin. The investigator later received a refund after RBK claimed the item was not received and provided a police report. The investigation linked login information and IP addresses located in Kazakhstan to the administrator Dias Temirbekul Zhumaniyaz, tying the same login data to other accounts involved in the refund fraud, including high-value items such as laptops and drones, as well as two PowerColor AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT graphics cards for $2,054.43. Amazon says it spent more than $75,000 on the investigation.
RBK begins Telegram promotion and voucher postings
February 2023
A group called RBK begins promoting its refund service on Telegram and builds a following of more than 1,000 subscribers. The group posts more than 2,100 user testimonials (vouches) showing fraudulent Amazon refunds and claims over $4,000,000 in vouchers since February 2023.