Nintendo is urging fans to stay vigilant as they chase pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2, warning that scammers are circulating fake lottery-win emails designed to steal personal data and cash. The company’s announcement comes after a record 2.2 million Japanese customers entered its My Nintendo Store lottery—far outstripping available stock for the June 5 launch—and underlines an urgent need for caution in the digital shopping frenzy.
In a statement on its official Japanese X (formerly Twitter) account, Nintendo confirmed it has not yet sent any lottery-result emails, and that genuine notifications “will not contain clickable links.” Instead, winners must log in manually at the My Nintendo Store to complete purchase steps. Any message claiming entitlement to a console with a reservation or payment URL should be treated as a scam. Nintendo adds: “Please be careful.”
Security researchers and gaming communities have shared screenshots of phishing attempts posing as Nintendo correspondence. These fraudulent emails range from amateurish notices peppered with emojis to near-perfect imitations featuring slight misspellings in the sender address or unusual URLs. Common tricks include urging users to click a LINE messenger link or to visit a bogus website to “secure” their console by entering credit-card details immediately.
This is not the first time phishing has preyed on eager gamers. Similar scams have targeted fans of Elden Ring and Silent Hill f, offering fake playtest invites that steal login credentials. But the scale of interest in Switch 2—evident in Japan’s 2.2 million lottery entries—makes fertile ground for fraudsters globally. While Japan’s First-Party lottery operates until April 24, third-party retailers such as Bic Camera, Yodobashi, and online giants like Amazon Japan will open pre-orders on April 24 at 10 a.m. JST. International customers should also avoid clicking unsolicited links and instead visit official retailer websites directly.
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa publicly apologized for the supply shortage, acknowledging the company underestimated demand despite boosting component orders. He confirmed many applicants will miss out on launch-day shipments and will roll into a second lottery round. Furukawa encouraged fans to stay patient as Nintendo ramps production post-launch to meet global demand.
To stay safe amid this chaos, Nintendo offers these tips:
While Nintendo Switch 2’s exciting new features—a custom NVIDIA GPU, improved Joy-Con controllers, and backwards compatibility—are fueling unprecedented pre-order traffic, fans are warned that securing one may take more than luck. Scammers thrive on impatience; your safest bet is to proceed through official channels only.
As launch day draws near, Nintendo reiterates its commitment to expanding supply and urges customers to remain alert for bogus emails. For reliable updates, follow Nintendo’s verified social accounts and bookmark the My Nintendo Store. With awareness and caution, gamers can avoid phishing pitfalls and savor the Switch 2 experience as intended.
