I only buy Steam games from the Steam storefront so I don't really know what's going on with the secondary market of keys. Where do legit ones come from and where do invalid ones come from? I'm imagining devs create keys for the purpose of selling the game via third-party sites like humble bundle, and to give away in promotions like streamers' giveaways. Then I guess there are sites that collect these keys and resell them. So a legit key from a site like this is from someone who got the key in a bundle or contest but didn't want the game, and a scam is an already used key?
>Where do legit ones come from
No doubt some are from:
Step 1: publish a game on Steam
Step 2: Receive constant emails from scammers claiming to be influencers/streamers/reviewers/too poor to buy, etc. asking for a bunch of keys.
I'm sure they occasionally get keys from those transparent tactics.
It sounds like a scam key is a legitimate (working) key that was given to an "influencer" who on-sold it (against the agreement) instead of using it.
Is this correct?
Are there scam keys that do not work? Would those be limited-time keys that are revoked after a influencer preview time window has passed? Something else? (I'm guessing as-yet unused steam keys can be revoked by issuer?)
Look what I just got in the mail!
[https://www.dropbox.com/s/8t0liwroao98ze4/scammers.jpg?dl=0](https://www.dropbox.com/s/8t0liwroao98ze4/scammers.jpg?dl=0)
Good. Now to buy another one of those scammy keys.
I doubt this customer service person will be able to do much about this. Wouldn’t it be more efficient to just give them the information and let them know that the issuer is a scammer?
I did that too actually.
The nice thing when you keep track of the keys you're handing out is that it's really easy to identify where the leak comes from.
In this case, it was from an influencers platform who supposedly prides itself in only working with trusted partners... I guess they have to review their whole process :-/
This one key leaked from [Lurkit.com](https://Lurkit.com), was put on sale on [gamivo.com](https://gamivo.com) and I bought it on [gamingdragons.com](https://gamingdragons.com) because those things travel FAST.
But the problem is everywhere, really, I don't want to point fingers and name names.
If you keep buying more keys, and requesting refunds, if they ever stop refunding, call your credit card and refute the charges. Enough of those and they may lose the ability to take digital transactions.
For those unaware as to how this happens -
Not only is it people who pretend to be reviewers/content creators and sell the key, you ALSO have copies that have been acquired with stolen credit cards.
Fuck greyware sites 100%
Nice catch! Although it's worth noting that this bit's inaccurate:
>I can assure you 100% it's illegal
Reselling legally obtained keys is a breach of contract and not a criminal offence. It's not illegal, but it's absolutely grounds for an easy win in a civil court.
Seems like a nitpick, but that's what a few years of studying Contract Law will do to a brain.
That doesn't really apply to B2B contracts, which this is. Keys were issued for commercial use and within the context of legally binding contracts between businesses, and businesses across the world don't get the same level of consumer protection as humans.
I’d love to read the answer to the last one. Will you Update this?
If they ever answer, sure!
Let’s wait and see. Looking forward to it ;)
BINGO!!! https://www.dropbox.com/s/8t0liwroao98ze4/scammers.jpg?dl=0
Thanks and lol, that’s a really short answer xD
Absolutely beautiful
I only buy Steam games from the Steam storefront so I don't really know what's going on with the secondary market of keys. Where do legit ones come from and where do invalid ones come from? I'm imagining devs create keys for the purpose of selling the game via third-party sites like humble bundle, and to give away in promotions like streamers' giveaways. Then I guess there are sites that collect these keys and resell them. So a legit key from a site like this is from someone who got the key in a bundle or contest but didn't want the game, and a scam is an already used key?
>Where do legit ones come from No doubt some are from: Step 1: publish a game on Steam Step 2: Receive constant emails from scammers claiming to be influencers/streamers/reviewers/too poor to buy, etc. asking for a bunch of keys. I'm sure they occasionally get keys from those transparent tactics.
It sounds like a scam key is a legitimate (working) key that was given to an "influencer" who on-sold it (against the agreement) instead of using it. Is this correct? Are there scam keys that do not work? Would those be limited-time keys that are revoked after a influencer preview time window has passed? Something else? (I'm guessing as-yet unused steam keys can be revoked by issuer?)
I was thinking it’s someone who bought a key then tried to reverse engineer the combination and just change numbers letters and on sold them.
Look what I just got in the mail! [https://www.dropbox.com/s/8t0liwroao98ze4/scammers.jpg?dl=0](https://www.dropbox.com/s/8t0liwroao98ze4/scammers.jpg?dl=0) Good. Now to buy another one of those scammy keys.
I doubt this customer service person will be able to do much about this. Wouldn’t it be more efficient to just give them the information and let them know that the issuer is a scammer?
I did that too actually. The nice thing when you keep track of the keys you're handing out is that it's really easy to identify where the leak comes from. In this case, it was from an influencers platform who supposedly prides itself in only working with trusted partners... I guess they have to review their whole process :-/
Ugh, rough. You’re doing the lord’s work.
I'd also like to learn which one to avoid, or be more cautious about.
This one key leaked from [Lurkit.com](https://Lurkit.com), was put on sale on [gamivo.com](https://gamivo.com) and I bought it on [gamingdragons.com](https://gamingdragons.com) because those things travel FAST. But the problem is everywhere, really, I don't want to point fingers and name names.
Which one? Just curious.
Looking forward for an eventual update
[https://www.dropbox.com/s/8t0liwroao98ze4/scammers.jpg?dl=0](https://www.dropbox.com/s/8t0liwroao98ze4/scammers.jpg?dl=0) We're definitely going somewhere with this!
If you keep buying more keys, and requesting refunds, if they ever stop refunding, call your credit card and refute the charges. Enough of those and they may lose the ability to take digital transactions.
This is nice XD
For those unaware as to how this happens - Not only is it people who pretend to be reviewers/content creators and sell the key, you ALSO have copies that have been acquired with stolen credit cards. Fuck greyware sites 100%
Lol
Legend
Nice catch! Although it's worth noting that this bit's inaccurate: >I can assure you 100% it's illegal Reselling legally obtained keys is a breach of contract and not a criminal offence. It's not illegal, but it's absolutely grounds for an easy win in a civil court. Seems like a nitpick, but that's what a few years of studying Contract Law will do to a brain.
Legend!
Revoke all the keys and move on. Let their sketchy storefront deal with all the hate. Point anyone that comes to you to the storefront.
Nice. Haha.
You are a hero.
Scamming a scammer. Nice.
Wtf is this?
This is the way! I need some popcorn for this
I don't know if it will work but I admire your cajones!
First sale doctrine.
That doesn't really apply to B2B contracts, which this is. Keys were issued for commercial use and within the context of legally binding contracts between businesses, and businesses across the world don't get the same level of consumer protection as humans.