"Switch 2 Pre-Order Chaos: Scammers Exploit My Nintendo Store Overload in Japan"

For Nintendo enthusiasts in Japan, April 24, 2025, marks a significant date as Nintendo unveils the fortunate winners of the Switch 2 pre-order lottery through the My Nintendo Store. However, the overwhelming traffic led to the temporary shutdown of the My Nintendo Store website for maintenance. Additionally, Nintendo issued a crucial warning regarding phishing emails that falsely claim to be official Switch 2 pre-order lottery results.

On April 2, Nintendo initiated the application process for the Switch 2 pre-order lottery in Japan. Those selected in the lottery would have the opportunity to secure a Switch 2 from the My Nintendo Store, with delivery scheduled for the console's launch on June 5.

In a message from Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa, it was revealed that approximately 2.2 million people in Japan participated in the first Switch 2 presale lottery. This unprecedented demand surpassed Nintendo's expectations, meaning many hopefuls would not obtain the console on launch day.

Japanese-speaking users on X (formerly Twitter) have been vigilant, sharing screenshots of these deceptive emails and highlighting various iterations of the scam. The subject lines promising "You have won the Switch 2 lottery" were undoubtedly tempting for many fans. These phishing emails often include links to LINE messenger or request immediate payments through dubious URLs, ranging from easily identifiable emoji-laden fakes to more subtle attempts with minor errors such as misspellings of "Nintendo" in email addresses and non-Japanese URLs.

The official warning from the Japanese Nintendo Support account clarified: "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 ImagesIn the U.S., Nintendo updated its website to inform those who had expressed interest in purchasing a Switch 2 from the My Nintendo Store that they could not guarantee delivery by the June 5 release date. Consequently, invitation emails might arrive after the Switch 2's launch. However, Nintendo assured that the shipping date would be confirmed upon purchase. They suggested that pre-ordering from third-party retailers might offer a better chance at securing a Switch 2 at launch, a concerning recommendation given the console's rapid sell-out following the opening of pre-orders.

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

According to an FAQ on Nintendo’s website, the initial batch of invitations for the My Nintendo Store in the U.S. will be sent out starting May 8, 2025. Subsequent batches will be dispatched periodically until purchasing is opened to everyone. The initial invitation emails will be sent on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible registrants who meet the priority criteria. Invitees will have 72 hours from the time of the email 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.