Recently, I designed a display panel system board. I used a common IC device on it. Unfortunately, the device was sold out in Japan and the western world. I found that the device is openly sold in China over the internet. I phoned a company in Hong Kong to place my order. Their price was extremely low, as much as one tenth the Japanese price. I doubted it a little, so I ordered the same part from three different companies.
Each of them arrived by air express within two weeks. They all looked brand new to me, because the printing and metal foot was very clean, or maybe too clean. Then, they were mounted on the board and I tested them. They worked right at the first first time, and the Chinese devices also worked as well. I felt a little guilty for doubting Chinese businesses.
Later, we tested each item on the board and realized that something is little strange with the Chinese device. The trouble was minor, but the damage to the board's function was very serious. We had to scrutinize the Chinese device.
It was astonishing that the device was totally fake, the printing was correct, and the voltage direction was correct, but its electrical characteristic were totally wrong !!! I tested the three company's devices. All of them are fake! The fake chip was made to pass the first test and then malfunction on the actual use in equipment. What a clever fraud.
I learned a lot from the accident. I will never buy Chinese components for business ever again.
I heard a horrible report that the U.S. military suffered the same trick in their weapon's electrical equipment recently.
Private: Fire!!
.... Silene ...
Private: ?! W.T.F. ?!
It's no joke.
