Counterfeit chips can be a hazard even at the hobbyist level. I've had 2.5A rated DC/DC converters from Ali Express that, if overloaded, enter thermal runaway, and fake MAX232 devices that on any given powerup, have a single-digit percentage risk of the charge pump locking up and getting so hot that you can burn your fingers on them - thermal runaway again.
Apparently a lot of the AVR328s on low-end Arduinos (which are still useful, despite much better microcontrollers existing now) are fake too, though I've never had a problem with one.
Apparently a lot of the AVR328s on low-end Arduinos (which are still useful, despite much better microcontrollers existing now) are fake too, though I've never had a problem with one.