Island Park, NY – A Long Island man has been arrested for allegedly selling over $2 million worth of counterfeit Nintendo gaming accessories through Amazon. The scam, which lasted seven years, involved the distribution of thousands of fake Nintendo products to unsuspecting buyers nationwide.
The man, Isaac Lapidus, 34, was arraigned on conspiracy and trademark counterfeiting charges in Nassau County court earlier this week. Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced the case on Thursday, highlighting the scale and danger of the fraudulent operation.
The Long-Running Counterfeit Operation Uncovered
Authorities revealed that Lapidus operated from a warehouse on Austin Boulevard in Island Park, where he stored hundreds of thousands of fake Nintendo accessories, including Nintendo Switch Docking Stations, docking station adapters, and Pokémon Go Plus devices. The illicit products were sold through five Amazon seller accounts under different names: Panda Vida Inc., Unibabe, ABC of product, this too shall pass, and Zuzu cares 4U.
- Over 200,000 Nintendo Switch Docking Stations sold.
- Approximately 10,000 Switch Dock Adapters distributed.
- About 15,700 Pokémon Go Plus accessories sold.
The fraud began in October 2018 and was exposed when officials from Nintendo and Amazon alerted the Nassau County DA’s office. Product inspection revealed incorrect serial numbers, faulty product codes, and erroneous Japanese characters on packaging, confirming the merchandise was counterfeit.
Legal Action and Evidence Seized
On Tuesday, authorities executed a search warrant at the warehouse, seizing multiple boxes of the fake goods. Items seized included:
- 46 boxes of Nintendo Switch Docking Stations
- 23 Nintendo Cool Baby HD video games
- 33 boxes of Pokémon Go Plus accessories
All products were confirmed counterfeit by Amazon officials.
Following the raid, Lapidus was arrested alongside DA’s office detectives and arraigned before Judge Lisa Locurto on Wednesday. He pleaded not guilty and has been released on supervised release without bail. He now faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
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Concerns Over Consumer Safety and Trademark Violations
District Attorney Donnelly emphasized the dangers associated with counterfeit electronics, stating:
“Counterfeit products are not just bad for business, they can also be dangerous for consumers, especially when electronics are involved.”
This case highlights the increasing challenges e-commerce platforms face in preventing the sale of fraudulent goods and protecting consumers.
What This Means for Online Marketplaces and Customers
The incident underscores the importance of vigilance by both sellers and buyers on online marketplaces like Amazon. Consumers are urged to purchase gaming accessories from verified sellers and official retailers to avoid potentially hazardous counterfeit products.
For further insights, the full report on the case can be found at New York Post.
Protecting Yourself from Counterfeit Electronics
- Always verify the seller’s authenticity and reviews on platforms like Amazon.
- Purchase electronics and gaming gear directly from official brand stores or authorized dealers.
- Be cautious of prices significantly lower than average market value.
- Check packaging and product serial numbers carefully for any irregularities.
What do you think about this counterfeit Nintendo gear scam? Have you ever encountered fake gaming accessories while shopping online? Share your thoughts in the comments below!