Reference: https://www.steamtrades.com/trade/mFWlQ/a-beginners-guide-to-safe-and-smart-trading
TL;DR
About two weeks after our trade, I saw Lyntune's negative review stating all their keys were used. Concerned, I tried redeeming the games I got, and, unfortunately, all three had already been used as well. I reached out to the trader respectfully and gave them ample time to respond or make things right, but it's now been three months with no resolution.
I’ll be sharing the full conversation in the hope that it helps provide more context.
Initial positive review – April 23, 2025
One of the most honest, trustworthy, and personable traders I’ve met! We did run into a brief issue with Steam going offline for routine maintenance, but everything was handled with patience and grace. And the exchange itself went great! We had excellent communication, and I can personally vouch for their kindness and calm demeanor. I’d be happy to trade with them again anytime. +1.
Edit #1 – May 23, 2025
On May 9, 2025, I found out one of the keys I got from positivegamer had already been used. I let him know, and he asked me to wait while he tried to sort it out with Humble Bundle. After noticing another user had a similar issue, I went and redeemed the two other games from our trade, and sadly, they were also used. I traded three working keys for three of his, but none of the ones I received were valid.
It’s been two weeks now, but I’ve been in touch with him, and he’s stayed communicative, assuring me that he’s working on it. I told him I’d give it a bit more time. Hopefully, we can clear this up.
I’ll update my review soon.
Edit #2 – July 23, 2025
I traded three of my games for three of his, all of which were duplicates.
My
- Tomb Raider I–III Remastered
- Zeno Clash 2
- Hazel Sky
for his
- Crusader Kings III
- Hot Wheels Unleashed
- The Ascent
After I informed him that the keys were used, he gave me the same excuses he had given Lyntune, claiming the keys were a birthday gift from a friend in Canada, and that this friend was supposedly in contact with Humble Bundle support to sort things out. At the time, I chose to believe him and gave him the benefit of the doubt, hoping it was just a misunderstanding. But in hindsight, I have strong reason to believe those were all lies—an attempt to manipulate the situation and buy more time. Now, three months later, that initial trust is gone, and the deception is painfully obvious.
Here’s the full conversation, but I want to leave everyone with these final messages, as I feel they contain important context.
nexgen125
Hi.
How are you?
First off, since text communication can be tricky and tone doesn’t always come through, I want you to know this isn’t meant in a confrontational way at all. Please read this in the friendliest way possible.
Today marks exactly a month since I told you about the faulty keys. Since our chat history is no longer available (although I have recorded it), the games in question were The Ascent, Hot Wheels Unleashed, and Crusader Kings III. Please give me a concrete solution as to how we’re going to move forward (whether you’re going to provide monetary compensation, games, et cetera). You’ve always been nice and kind, and I genuinely don’t want to revert my highly positive review to negative, but I won’t have a choice.
Looking forward to hearing from you. Have a good one!
antonkuznetzov
Not feeling great as I got the news about my cousin Yaroslav dying last weekend from a mortar shell as his position got attacked with artillery.
Regarding codes. My friend is still fighting with HB support. He couldn't find the transactions ID but he's providing screenshots of emails from these bundles. I don't know how long will it last. It's not in my hands. It's terrible that something like that happens when you reveal the codes and if you don't activate them relatively soon, they either get deactivated or are passed on to someone else.
My reputation on Steam trade is ruined and I'm not gonna make any deals there (I also don't have any keys left) but I suggest you to only accept links from HB if you can't activate the keys for yourself straight away.
Maybe I should make a post about this situation on Reddit or other forums, maybe then they'll start acting seriously...
nexgen125
I’m genuinely sorry about your cousin. My condolences. Losing a loved one is never easy. Please take care of yourself and your family.
To sum up our situation, as I understand it, you’re unable to offer any form of compensation, whether in keys or money. I’m currently out of three games:
- Tomb Raider I–III Remastered, 5,20€ (at the time of trading, April 22, 2025)
- Zeno Clash 2, 3,70€ (at the time of trading)
- Hazel Sky, 2,60€ (at the time of trading)
Total: 11,50€
My partner, Kornobi, also gave you two games and received a faulty key in return:
- High on Life, 4,70€ (at the time of trading, April 24, 2025)
- Blasphemous 2, 4,30€ (at the time of trading)
Total: 9,00€
I’m sure you can understand our perspective, having received nothing in return and also lost over a month of our time and energy. Again, I truly didn’t want to revert my positive review to negative and further taint your reputation, but unfortunately, it’s something that has to be done. I won’t do it immediately or hastily. I want you to have the chance to read this first.
I also want you to know that if you ever come back and decide to do a refund, I will absolutely update my review, or even delete it. That’s entirely up to you. I’m not one to hold grudges, and I don’t believe in making situations worse if they can be resolved. I also won’t unfriend you, in case you’d like to reach out again, but if you’d prefer to remove me, I completely understand.
I would like to kindly ask you—from one human to another—to please not write a negative review for me or for my partner in retaliation. That would only lead to more anxiety and unnecessary bad feelings, especially for her, as she’s going through a tough time already. I personally have been nothing but nice and welcoming (at least, from my point of view), given you plenty of time for a resolution, and also offered to update or remove my negative review if things change. Because in the end, we were the ones who lost games and money, and you were the one who received value (not putting any blame on you or your friend, but this is the reality of things).
I hope that you understand. Once you’ve had a chance to read and respond, we’ll consider the matter closed. Thank you, and please be safe.
Closing thoughts
The ramifications of this scam made me realize I can’t trust people the way I used to. This person didn’t just rob me of my games, my time (much of it spent worrying and second-guessing), and my energy, they also took something more personal: my willingness to trust others. I’ve always known there are risks in trading, but I still chose to believe in people and give them the benefit of the doubt. I suppose I was bound to get hurt eventually, but I never imagined it would be like this—left feeling disrespected and disregarded. What hurts most isn’t the loss itself, but how easily my trust was taken advantage of and how little it seemed to matter.
I do hope you enjoy the games, and I don’t mean that sarcastically. Despite everything, I’d rather they bring someone a bit of joy than sit unused. I’ve come to terms with the loss, but I do hope this experience serves as a reminder of how important it is to treat others with integrity. To everyone reading, please take a moment to watch Pale Blue Dot. It’s worth your time.