Investigation Report
Generated on Feb 4, 2026
Desert Flame TCG (eBay seller) — Riftbound League of Legends Chinese Card Game Origin Jumbo Sealed Case Listing
https://www.ebay.com/itm/376491814222Why we think so?
Desert Flame TCG lists a high-value "Riftbound League of Legends Chinese Card Game Origin Jumbo Sealed Case" on eBay for $589.93 and has sold over 1,200 units. On the surface, the store appears well-stocked with 250+ trading card game items and maintains a nominal 99% positive feedback rating. However, reviews from Fakespot, Reddit forums, and community sites raise major red flags about fake feedback and widespread reports of counterfeit cards shipped from China. Many allegedly positive buyer reviews show bot-like patterns or are tied to accounts with little eBay history, and complaint threads detail poor quality or non-authentic items. Price comparisons show this box is often available for much less at reputable alternate sellers ($72–$100 range), making the high sale count here more suspicious. If you’re considering a purchase, beware: significant third-party and user evidence suggests a high risk of receiving fakes or encountering review manipulation. Proceed only if you’re willing to take on that risk — and always pay with methods that provide buyer protection. 🛑
Risk Insights
Fake Reviews & Counterfeit Risk: Very High
- Fakespot and community sites flag large numbers of reviews as fake.
- Dozens of verified buyer reports cite counterfeit cards and poor-quality items.
- Seller's volume and location (China) increase the likelihood of encountering forged products.
Major Price Markup Compared to Legitimate Sellers
- Listing price is 5–8x higher than on genuine retailer sites.
- Unnatural sales volume at high price; signals possible manipulation or fake orders.
- Buy elsewhere for authentic products at reasonable prices.
Nominal eBay Protections Still Apply
- If you pay with buyer-protected methods (PayPal Goods & Services), you can file claims.
- Returns may still be problematic if seller is unresponsive or disputes authenticity issues.
Category Scores
Red Flags & Warnings
- Feedback and review patterns are artificially inflated, with numerous identical phrases and reviews tied to new or low-activity accounts.
- Community forums (Reddit, TCGPlayer) and YouTube reviews specifically identify this seller as a source of fake/counterfeit cards shipped from China.
- Major price discrepancy compared to trusted TCG retailers despite high sales — suspicious for legitimate sealed modern card game product.
Detailed Checks & Insights
0-100 Scale
Seller Reputation and History
Score: 10
Seller Reputation and History
"Fakespot, Trustpilot, and Reddit all flag Desert Flame TCG for review fraud and fake product feedback."
Reason: Seller's 99% eBay feedback is undermined by multiple independent sources documenting fake reviews, review bots, and complaints about counterfeit cards dating back several years.
Product Authenticity and Consistency
Score: 10
Product Authenticity and Consistency
"Testimonies cover poor print quality, failed authentication, and mismatched PSA/BGS codes."
Reason: Specific buyer reports and YouTube videos confirm a pattern of receiving resealed, fake, or low-quality TCG products from this seller.
Listing Honesty and Transparency
Score: 20
Listing Honesty and Transparency
"No product-level certification, detailed box breakdown, or real-store photos are provided, raising risk."
Reason: Listing provides limited specifics and relies on images commonly seen on other sites; product description omits key verification or authenticity details.
Fulfillment Patterns and Delivery Guarantee
Score: 35
Fulfillment Patterns and Delivery Guarantee
"High sales volume could suggest fulfillment capability, but community feedback indicates unreliable outcomes."
Reason: The seller ships from China and offers standard eBay delivery, but user complaints indicate common issues with returns, non-delivery, or disputes.
Legal and Copyright Compliance
Score: 10
Legal and Copyright Compliance
"Authentication failures and product returns for fakes are cited by multiple forums and YouTube reviewers."
Reason: Multiple reports cite counterfeit and unlicensed trading card products, with the seller’s region notorious for IP violations in TCG goods.
Business Validity
Score: 20
Business Validity
"Store's sales velocity at inflated prices defies typical market logic for genuine products."
Reason: Pricing, sales quantities, and review patterns do not match standard business viability for authentic TCG distribution; strongly suggest manipulation.
Your Next Steps
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1
Avoid purchasing from this seller due to the high risk of counterfeit items and review fraud.
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2
If you have already made a purchase, thoroughly inspect the product upon arrival and keep all packaging.
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3
Pay only with buyer-protected methods (such as PayPal Goods & Services) for chargeback rights.
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4
Report suspicious listings to eBay and consider filing with the FTC or your national fraud body.
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5
Search for TCG products on established retailers, such as TCGPlayer or Cardmarket, instead.
Key Evidence & Citations
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Desert Flame TCG eBay Listing
⤷ Official eBay product data for pricing, seller info, and listing details.
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Reddit & Fakespot: Desert Flame TCG review manipulation/counterfeit activity
⤷ Multiple user threads and third-party tools document widespread fake reviews and counterfeit product incidents.
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Price Check: Riftbound League of Legends Jumbo Booster Box
⤷ Competing sellers list the same product at much lower prices, indicating that high pricing here is not market standard.
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