Kinguin Beware

[Jarhead0331]

I almost never buy discounted keys from third-party sources, but on occasion I do. So far, I've been pretty lucky and have had no issues. However, in January of this year, I bought a key for Starfield from Kinguin. I looked for it on the cheap because I already have the game through gamepass, but wanted it on steam so I could try out the Star Wars Genesis mod.

Anyway, yesterday I received a notice from Steam that the game and key had been removed from my account. I did some research and found out that this happens when steam gets notified from the developer or publisher that keys are fraudulent or stolen. Apparently, there is some way for scammers to search for codes that were sold, but never activated and these then get sold to these third-party retailers. Eventually, someone wakes up and the keys get reported as stolen.

I sent a support request to Kinguin asking for information, a new key or a refund. I'll let you guys know what happens when (and if) I hear anything back.   

[Father Ted]

When I saw the title of this thread, I thought it was going to be about a new Mafia game set in an Antarctic bird colony.

Seriously though, I guess this is a similar (though slightly less bad) situation to turning up to a match/concert and being refused entry because your ticket is fake.

[al_infierno]

When I saw the title of this thread, I thought it was going to be about a new Mafia game set in an Antarctic bird colony.

Seriously though, I guess this is a similar (though slightly less bad) situation to turning up to a match/concert and being refused entry because your ticket is fake.

Actually it's slightly worse. When you buy a fake ticket, only you have been scammed. These resellers often use stolen credit cards to acquire keys for resale, so when the other shoe drops, the chargebacks end up taking money out of the pockets of the game developers.

https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/how-steam-key-reselling-is-killing-the-little-guys

[Father Ted]

I meant on a personal level you haven't travelled hundred of miles to an event only to be turned away (and have lost money)

[Boggit]

I meant on a personal level you haven't travelled hundred of miles to an event only to be turned away (and have lost money)

I agree, but it's still a pretty shitty way that scammers treated JH. Al Infierno also makes a good point about the credit cards too.

Good lesson from JH about these third party codes. Avoid.