Whether or not this is true (honestly I'd kinda find it a fun waste of time), it is plausible lore wise. Variks still has PoE and he still put's things in there. There are a number of ideas I can come up with to explain how he would keep taken there, maybe, simply, they can no longer switch dimensions without oryx. The gear is often off of someone's body lore wise, but either way, if whatever had it was taken, so would it, cabal and the fallen wear armor that appears taken. Looking forward to the update, hope it's as good as the OP says.