Seems like a lot of work if someone already took the cd key
the site says:
The box was opened on the sales floor and we inspected it and taped it closed for sale. We suspect that the reason it was opened is so that someone could copy down the key.
If you still have your original printed CD-Key and product CD from a retail package for a Valve product to prove ownership, Valve can reset your CD-Key however, there is a $10.00 handling fee for this service.
?If you need a Half-Life 2 CD-Key to be reset, there is no charge for the service.
?If it is within 30 days of your date of purchase of a game using a WON CD-Key (xxxx-xxxxx-xxxx format) you may include your receipt to have the $10.00 fee waived.
?WON CD-Keys that were purchased USED either through Retail or EBay will need to pay the $10.00 fee
This transfer will remove the cd-key from the account that is currently using the cd-key, and add it to your account. To do this you will need to have a working Steam account (create a new one, if you do not have one or do not have access to your current account).