Nintendo Warns Japanese Switch 2 Pre-Order Customers of Phishing Scams Amid Lottery Chaos

Nintendo Issues Urgent Scam Alert as Switch 2 Pre-Order Lottery Faces Technical and Security Issues in Japan Japanese fans eagerly anticipating a chance to secure the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 faced major hurdles today as the official My Nintendo Store went into maintenance, complicating the highly-anticipated pre-order lottery process.

As hopefuls awaited results that would allow them to reserve the next-generation hardware, Nintendo took to social media to issue a striking warning about a surge of phishing emails targeting customers. The Nintendo Switch 2, successor to the record-breaking Nintendo Switch console released in 2017, has become one of the most sought-after new releases in recent gaming history.

With unprecedented demand, Nintendo implemented a lottery system for pre-orders in Japan via the My Nintendo Store.

However, technical issues have resulted in the site remaining inaccessible for many, further heightening frustration among would-be buyers. Compounding the situation, Nintendo Customer Services released an official alert on the company’s verified social media channels.

In a translated statement, Nintendo cautioned: "Customers should be aware that our company does not send pre-order or purchase URLs via email." The company made it clear that any email containing a link to supposedly confirm a Switch 2 purchase is not authentic and should be regarded as a phishing attempt. Further reaffirming their stance, Nintendo clarified that legitimate emails regarding the Switch 2 lottery results have not yet been sent, and when official notices do go out, they "will not contain any URL for purchasing inaccessible hardware." This measure is intended to protect customers from online scams that seek to exploit the current demand and confusion surrounding the console’s release. Reports have emerged of individuals who did not enter the lottery receiving fraudulent emails claiming they have secured a Switch 2 pre-order.

Social media users have posted screenshots of such scam messages, expressing frustration with both the security threat and the lottery process.

One customer notably remarked, "Not everyone is participating in the Switch 2 lottery," highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the phishing campaign. The situation echoes similar challenges witnessed in North America, where scalpers quickly capitalized on Switch 2 pre-order listings, reselling them at inflated prices on platforms like eBay within minutes of pre-orders going live. As of the latest update, the My Nintendo Store remains in maintenance mode, and Nintendo’s advice stands: Japanese consumers should ignore any email claiming to offer Switch 2 lottery results, especially those containing external links.

Only official communications directly from Nintendo without embedded URLs should be trusted.

Customers are urged to stay vigilant and to rely solely on verified sources for updates. With the Nintendo Switch 2’s official release date and additional pre-order phases expected to be announced in upcoming Nintendo Direct presentations and through the official eShop channels, fans are advised to monitor Nintendo’s official social media and support pages for reliable information and further developments.

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