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

For Nintendo enthusiasts in Japan, April 24, 2025, marks a significant date as Nintendo is set to announce the winners of the Switch 2 pre-order lottery through the official My Nintendo Store. However, the overwhelming demand led to the temporary shutdown of the My Nintendo Store website for maintenance due to excessive traffic. Additionally, Nintendo has issued a crucial warning regarding phishing emails that mimic official Switch 2 pre-order lottery results, cautioning fans to stay vigilant.

The pre-order lottery for the Switch 2 commenced on April 2 in Japan, with winners being granted the opportunity to purchase the console from the My Nintendo Store, slated for delivery on the launch date of June 5.

In a message from Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa, it was revealed that approximately 2.2 million individuals entered the first Switch 2 presale lottery in Japan. This unprecedented demand has far exceeded Nintendo's expectations, inevitably disappointing many hopeful fans who will not secure a console on launch day.

As the results of the first Switch 2 presale lottery were announced today, a surge of users attempted to access the My Nintendo Store, causing Nintendo to take the site offline for maintenance. This frenzy has also provided an opportunity for scammers, who have begun circulating fake lottery results.

Japanese-speaking users on X have been proactive, sharing screenshots of fraudulent emails and highlighting various versions of the scam. The deceptive subject lines, such as "You have won the Switch 2 lottery," initially fooled many excited fans. These emails often prompt users to click on a LINE messenger app link or make immediate payments via suspicious URLs, pushing urgency to secure the highly anticipated console. The phishing attempts vary from obvious fakes laden with emojis to more sophisticated versions featuring minor errors, like misspellings in email addresses and non-Japanese URLs.

The official warning from the Japanese Nintendo Support account clarifies: "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."

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In the U.S., Nintendo has updated its website to inform those who registered their interest in purchasing a Switch 2 from My Nintendo Store that delivery by the June 5 release date cannot be guaranteed. Consequently, invitation emails might arrive after the Switch 2's launch, but Nintendo assures that the shipping date will be confirmed upon purchase. The company now suggests that fans might have a better chance of securing a Switch 2 at launch by pre-ordering from third-party retailers, despite these options already being sold out following overnight pre-orders.

The challenges faced by fans attempting to pre-order the Switch 2 on April 24, coupled with Nintendo's warnings, indicate that obtaining the next-generation console will be difficult around its launch.

According to a FAQ posted on Nintendo’s website, the initial batch of invitations for the My Nintendo Store in the U.S. will start on May 8, 2025. Subsequent batches will be sent out "periodically" until the purchasing window is open to all. The initial invitations will be sent on a first-come, first-served basis to "eligible registrants who meet the priority criteria." Those invited 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 been the one who purchased any Nintendo Switch Online membership.
• You must have had any paid Nintendo Switch Online membership for a minimum of 12 months.
• You must have opted in to share gameplay data and have at least 50 hours total gameplay hours.