My Illustrator product key wont work

This may be a long-shot, but Adobe events often have a software (usually a 12-month subscription to the Creative Cloud) raffle at events--including online ones, which are usually free to attend. Scroll down to the different kinds of events here Home - Creative Cloud Events, and see if there are any you might be able to attend. Adobe User Groups also get to do software raffles every 6 months, so you might see about joining one near you Adobe User Group directory.

All I really care about is that you get the facts. You have them now. And as a bonus, you know how some people feel about people who threaten to steal software. Have a nice day, and I hope you get to solve your problem.

We've given the help we can: you've been ripped off, but not by Adobe. Amazon seem pretty good about refunding, though it's disappointing they don't clear out these scammers. We've told you what it really costs. We're not in the business of recommending alternatives, especially, this is an Adobe forum after all, not a general illustration software forum.

And I have not the slightest sympathy for someone who says they will steal what they found was surprisingly expensive. Do you do that at Wal Mart?

So, you're going to steal it. I hope you aren't planning to make a living creating stuff, because you can expect people to steal all your work without paying for it. Fair?

There are always alternatives, but Adobe's forums may not be the place to find discussion of them...