Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Order Chaos: Scammers Exploit Desperate Fans in Japan

For Nintendo enthusiasts in Japan, April 24, 2025, marks an exciting day as Nintendo unveils the fortunate winners of the Switch 2 pre-order lottery through the My Nintendo Store. However, the high demand caused the website to crash due to overwhelming traffic, prompting Nintendo to temporarily shut it down for maintenance. Amidst this frenzy, Nintendo also issued a critical warning about phishing emails that falsely claim to notify recipients of their Switch 2 pre-order lottery win.

On April 2, Nintendo initiated the application process for the Switch 2 pre-order lottery in Japan. Successful applicants were promised the opportunity to purchase the new console from the My Nintendo Store, with delivery set for the launch date on June 5.

In a recent message, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa revealed that approximately 2.2 million people in Japan entered the first Switch 2 presale lottery. This staggering number exceeded Nintendo's expectations, leaving many hopeful fans disappointed.

As the results of the initial Switch 2 presale lottery were released today, the rush to access the My Nintendo Store website led to its temporary shutdown for maintenance. Exploiting the excitement surrounding the Switch 2, scammers began circulating fake lottery result emails.

Japanese users on X (formerly Twitter) have been proactive, sharing screenshots of these fraudulent emails and highlighting various scam versions. The subject lines of these phishing emails, such as “You have won the Switch 2 lottery,” could easily deceive eager fans. The emails typically prompt users to click on a LINE messenger app link or to make a payment via a dubious URL, urging immediate action to secure the console. These phishing attempts vary from blatantly obvious fakes filled with emojis to more refined versions with subtle errors, like misspellings of "Nintendo" in email addresses and non-Japanese URLs.

In response, the official warning from the Japanese Nintendo Support account clarified that, "Although we plan to send out the lottery result emails today (April 24), we have not sent them yet. Please be aware that any such emails that you have received up until now were not sent by Nintendo."

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

View 91 Images

In the U.S., Nintendo has provided an update on its website regarding release-day delivery. Those who registered their interest in purchasing a Switch 2 from the My Nintendo Store were informed that delivery by the June 5 release date could not be guaranteed. Consequently, invitation emails might arrive after the Switch 2 launch, though Nintendo assures buyers that they will confirm the shipping date upon purchase. Nintendo has suggested that fans might have a better chance of securing a Switch 2 at launch by pre-ordering from third-party retailers, a recommendation that raises concerns given that pre-orders at these retailers have already sold out overnight.

The challenges faced by fans attempting to pre-order the Switch 2 on April 24, coupled with Nintendo's warnings, indicate that acquiring the next-gen console will be a daunting task around its launch period.

According to a FAQ posted on Nintendo’s website, the first batch of invitations for the My Nintendo Store in the U.S. will start going out on May 8, 2025. Subsequent batches of invitation emails will be sent out “periodically” until purchasing is open to everyone.

The initial invitation emails will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to “eligible registrants who meet the priority criteria.” Recipients will have 72 hours from the time the email is sent to complete their purchase.

Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order invitation priority requirements:

• You must have purchased any Nintendo Switch Online membership.
• You must have maintained any paid Nintendo Switch Online membership for at least 12 months.
• You must have opted in to share gameplay data and have accumulated at least 50 hours of total gameplay.