Japan is currently grappling with a wave of scams tied to the high demand for the elusive Nintendo Switch 2, with scammers targeting desperate buyers on major online marketplaces.
Despite Nintendo’s partnerships with platforms like Yahoo Japan Auctions to limit misleading listings-Yahoo even went as far as banning all Switch 2 resales-fraudulent sales are still rampant, especially on popular sites like Mercari.
According to reports from TBS and FNN, scammers are getting increasingly crafty. Listings often look legit at first glance, featuring images of the actual Switch 2. But a closer read of the item descriptions reveals shady details like “this is a photo of a Switch 2” or “only the Switch 2 box included.” Some even use misleading titles like “OLED Switch” while showing images of the new console, then quietly clarify in small print that the Switch 2 is not part of the sale at all.
Lawyer Kunitaka Kasai from Rei Law Office explained that if a listing promises a Switch 2 and doesn’t deliver it, the seller could be charged with fraud. But if the description technically spells out that it’s just a box or photo, it falls into a legal gray area-even if the photos suggest otherwise. It’s a loophole that scammers are exploiting to the fullest.
Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that even official Nintendo stores aren’t stocking the Switch 2 yet, leaving fans with no reliable source for a console. Buyers are left with two risky options: keep trying their luck with Nintendo’s official lottery system or risk buying from scalpers-an option full of pitfalls as recent news reports have shown.
Consumer protection groups are urging buyers to slow down and read every line of a listing carefully. With resellers charging premium prices and Nintendo’s own warranty policies potentially complicating second-hand purchases, the safest bet might just be waiting-no matter how long the temptation lingers.