Maybe it's the eye strain I'm experiencing today, but there's no indication of whether the poster bought the drive from Amazon (the company) or from an Amazon Seller. If it was the latter, then I'm not surprised something like this happened. I've heard from friends, and read about, some dodgy sellers doing some dodgy things.
In my view, it doesn't much matter whether it's "from Amazon" or "from an Amazon Seller". It's all through Amazon's platform, where Amazon has control, and therefore it's all Amazon.
True, to a point. But how much control can Amazon exercise over what dodgy sellers sell (as long as it's not a human organ or living creature)? Sure, Amazon can kick them off the platform but by then, it's too late and the damage is done.
If Amazon was good about kicking off dodgy sellers, then there would be fewer sellers trying to be dodgy.
Regardless, it's their store and so they're responsible for what takes place in it.
As another posted wrote, I doubt Amazon really cares about the dodgy ones until they're no longer an income stream or until they get a pile of complaints about one.
I doubt that Amazon cares as long as a) the company's still getting its cut, and 2) there isn't a torrent of complaints against the seller.