"Leaked" Nintendo Switch Was Stolen Says Nintendo

[Steven Bogos]

"Leaked" Nintendo Switch Was Stolen Says Nintendo

//cdn.themis-media.com/media/global/images/library/deriv/1383/1383467.jpg
The guy who claims he was "just lucky" in getting a Switch two weeks early was reportedly using a stolen console.

Last week, NeoGAF user HippoTheRobot [http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1344759] posted videos of the UI and unboxing of a Nintendo Switch - which he claims he received two weeks ahead of official release by "just being lucky" and having his retailer ship his pre-order early. Now, Nintendo is stating that actually, this is a stolen console which has been illegally resold.

"Earlier this week, individuals claimed to prematurely purchase a small number of Nintendo Switch systems from an unspecified retailer. Nintendo has determined these units were stolen in an isolated incident by employees of a U.S. distributor, with one system being illegally resold. The individuals involved have been identified, terminated from their place of employment and are under investigation by local law enforcement authorities on criminal charges," said Nintendo in a statement to IGN [http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/02/17/nintendo-switch-operating-system-menu-details-leak].

HippoTheRobot responded with "Not sure if I can really talk about it but I will say Nintendo has the console back and I am personally not in any trouble. Other than being out a console and the money I paid for it which really sucks with all the bills I have right now but it isn't going to be the end of the world or anything." Not sure I have too much sympathy for the guy, considering he probably paid gouged prices for what was obviously a stolen console.

Source: IGN [http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/02/17/nintendo-switch-operating-system-menu-details-leak].

Permalink

 

[Elvis Starburst]

"Other than being out a console and the money I paid for it which really sucks with all the bills I have right now but it isn't going to be the end of the world or anything." Well it's his own damn fault for buying something that's supposed to release a few weeks later, dunno what this guy expected

 

[Igor-Rowan]

I saw the storm going down in NeoGaf, looks like he initially said it was shipped early, then backed off and then tried to sell it on reddit. I highly doubt that he was unaware it was stolen, because there is a huge leap from being shipped early to acquiring it yourself.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Joke's on you for posting about it online.
You fucking idiot.

 

[JoJo]

Hm, I wonder if there was any legal obligation for him to give the console back to Nintendo. At the very least, I would have asked for financial compensation, it's not like Nintendo couldn't afford a few hundred quid.

 

[Leg End]

Hm, I wonder if there was any legal obligation for him to give the console back to Nintendo. At the very least, I would have asked for financial compensation, it's not like Nintendo couldn't afford a few hundred quid.

Best option is to say you lost it in a tragic boating accident.

 

[Zulnam]

If Nintendo's coming for your house there's only one rational thing to do. Leave for a few weeks and put a note on the door.

"Dear Nintendo,

By the time you read this i will be gone. I have been summoned on an emergency fishing trip and may not make it back alive. I wouldn't hold it against you if you'd never want to see me again."

Seriously though the guy did a pleb thing. Why buy it early with no games? Why post about it? Why not sell it further on to some other pleb?

 

[Silentpony_v1legacy]

Joke's on you for posting about it online.
You fucking idiot.

Reminds me of those people who steal from stores then post it online, with pictures and everything!
Some people...jeez...

 

[bobdark]

If Nintendo's coming for your house there's only one rational thing to do. Leave for a few weeks and put a note on the door.

"Dear Nintendo,

By the time you read this i will be gone. I have been summoned on an emergency fishing trip and may not make it back alive. I wouldn't hold it against you if you'd never want to see me again."

Seriously though the guy did a pleb thing. Why buy it early with no games? Why post about it? Why not sell it further on to some other pleb?

My understand is that he tried to sell it on reddit for a $1000.....

 

[bjj hero]

Some people will do anything for youtube views I guess...

 

[hentropy]

Hm, I wonder if there was any legal obligation for him to give the console back to Nintendo. At the very least, I would have asked for financial compensation, it's not like Nintendo couldn't afford a few hundred quid.

You have no right (in the US) to keep stolen property, even if you paid for it. Pawn shops often have this problem as they'll buy stolen merchandise only for the police to seize it, and they don't get their money back. If you're buying something it's up to you to make sure it's not illegal or stolen, given the evidence (like he tried to resell it), Nintendo could pursue charges the guy as well, but there's little reason to now.

 

[Saltyk]

I saw the storm going down in NeoGaf, looks like he initially said it was shipped early, then backed off and then tried to sell it on reddit. I highly doubt that he was unaware it was stolen, because there is a huge leap from being shipped early to acquiring it yourself.

That's about the only reason I don't have sympathy for the guy. I really don't think he bought a stolen system by mistake. Why would he lie and say that he had received it early from an online shipper, if he thought he bought it legitimately?

He's lucky that Nintendo/the authorities aren't pursuing legal action of any sort. Receiving stolen property is illegal.

Joke's on you for posting about it online.
You fucking idiot.

Reminds me of those people who steal from stores then post it online, with pictures and everything!
Some people...jeez...

I remember hearing about a person who stole a vacuum and then tried to return it when it didn't work. There was also the woman who tried to buy something at Walmart with a "Million dollar bill" which was obviously counterfeit.

Thankfully, thieves are really stupid.

 

[Steven Bogos]

So.. Just going to repeat something here that I indicated in a different thread.

In my short time in this line of work, I've found that far too many people insert personal opinions into news coverage

Lizzy Finnegan was apologetic for putting personal bias into news articles, and I would have assumed there'd be some level of communication between Escapist employees to avoid common mistakes, but...

Not sure I have too much sympathy for the guy, considering he probably paid gouged prices for what was obviously a stolen console.

Thanks for the comment, this is a very reasonable concern. I think what Liz, and myself, are concerned about is people who insert personal opinion into news coverage and present, or disguise it as fact. Here I have voiced an opinion but made it very clear that it is my own opinion. I feel like this is acceptable as it adds flavor and fuels discussion of a post, but you are of course entitled to disagree.

 

[AzrealMaximillion]

This guy could have just made a bunch of unboxing videos and released it early on launch day for some quick YouTube money.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

So.. Just going to repeat something here that I indicated in a different thread.

In my short time in this line of work, I've found that far too many people insert personal opinions into news coverage

Lizzy Finnegan was apologetic for putting personal bias into news articles, and I would have assumed there'd be some level of communication between Escapist employees to avoid common mistakes, but...

Not sure I have too much sympathy for the guy, considering he probably paid gouged prices for what was obviously a stolen console.

Didn't you get suspended some weeks ago for calling some users "miserable fucks"? Now you're schooling journalists on etiquette?

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

I kinda wish he had taken the thing apart, given us a look of what was running the console.

 

[RaikuFA]

I kinda wish he had taken the thing apart, given us a look of what was running the console.

Two hamster wheels. https://www.destructoid.com/massive-switch-dev-kit-leak-proves-console-is-powered-by-two-hamster-wheels-fauxclusive--418605.phtml

 

[JoJo]

Hm, I wonder if there was any legal obligation for him to give the console back to Nintendo. At the very least, I would have asked for financial compensation, it's not like Nintendo couldn't afford a few hundred quid.

You have no right (in the US) to keep stolen property, even if you paid for it. Pawn shops often have this problem as they'll buy stolen merchandise only for the police to seize it, and they don't get their money back. If you're buying something it's up to you to make sure it's not illegal or stolen, given the evidence (like he tried to resell it), Nintendo could pursue charges the guy as well, but there's little reason to now.

Interesting, thanks for the info. I don?t actually know the law in my own country, I'll have to look it up.