I'd chock your story and the one in the article up to logistics errors. The boxes probably got mislabeled at a distribution center. Having worked at a distribution center that dealt with TONS of boxes everyday, you'd be surprised how many different ways things can go wrong along the way.

Scams do happen though, both on the sellers side and other places. I ordered a used google pixel 3 off amazon once, and right as I got a delivery notification, I heard some noise out by my patio gate and looked out the window to see a person in a hi-vis vest - I believe it was the fedex guy- walking briskly away from my house. I went outside and th package was nowhere to be found. I called amazon and they asked me to check my mailbox again, so I did just to humor them. They asked if it may have been delivered to my neighbor... I was like how would I even know that and how is that my problem or my job to check?? But I told them there was nothing outside his gate and I even peeked under his gate into his patio to be sure.

I guess I got lucky because they refunded me. But I bet you if it was a higher value item, or if it happens again, Amazon will probably ban me for trying to scam them.