If you think the worst that could happen when you order a PS5 online is a delayed shipment, think again.
One buyer in India got a surprise of a lifetime when they opened their package to find a PS3 inside a PS4 box, which was then inside a PS5 box. Yes, you read that right—a PS3 inside a PS4 box, tucked neatly inside a PS5 box. It might seem like the premise of a strange game, but sadly, it could have actually been real.
A recent post from India by Reddit user @Imcheeku highlights how complicated online shopping can get, especially with high-ticket items like gaming consoles. Everything seemed to check out when the buyer ordered a PS5 from Amazon India in early January 2025. The package was expected on a scheduled date and arrived shortly after.
However, the box itself immediately raised some red flags. It was damaged, unsealed, and secured with excessive brown tape, making it clear that it had been tampered with. To make matters worse, the box’s manufacturing date pointed to the PS5 possibly being from a batch made over a year ago, perhaps even intended for the initial slimmer version release.
This was enough for the buyer to suspect something wasn’t right. Instead of opening the box right away, the buyer decided to reach out to Amazon customer service first. When the courier showed up, the situation had already become even more bizarre.
The delivery person checked the package and, to their surprise, found a PS4 box inside the PS5 box. Naturally, the unboxing didn’t stop there, and when they opened the PS4 box, they found a PS3 instead of the expected PS5. This “console nesting” was the last straw in what had already become a troubling situation for the buyer.
Frustrated as expected, the buyer contacted Amazon, sharing photos of the damaged packaging and everything that happened during the unboxing. Even so, Amazon's first response was to withhold the refund, saying the correct item had been shipped. However, it's also possible that things aren’t exactly what they seem.
It could be that the buyer, noticing the damaged packaging and suspicious circumstances, might have decided to pull a scam themselves. After all, the item could have been kept, and the buyer could have swapped in a PS3 to try to get their money back. It could take some work, but it’s not totally impossible.
However, if the buyer did get a PS3 in a PS4 box, it could mean there’s either some shady business happening with the seller or mishandling in the warehouse. The solution? Document everything. Everything. If you plan on ordering anything remotely expensive, get yourself in the habit of recording the unboxing process.