New York Man Faces Prison for Selling Over $2 Million in Fake Nintendo and Pokémon Products

A New York resident is facing serious legal trouble after allegedly selling more than $2 million worth of counterfeit Nintendo and Pokémon merchandise. If convicted, he could receive a lengthy prison sentence for distributing fake consoles, accessories, and devices.

The Growing Problem of Gaming Counterfeits

Video game hardware is a lucrative industry, which unfortunately makes it a prime target for counterfeiters. While some fake products are easy for gamers to identify, others can be convincing—especially when sold through legitimate online marketplaces. When buyers believe they are purchasing from a trustworthy source, they are less likely to suspect a scam.

How the Scheme Was Uncovered

According to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office (via CBS), the suspect, identified as Isaac Lapidus, pleaded not guilty to charges of trademark counterfeiting and conspiracy. Lapidus reportedly sold counterfeit items as a third-party seller on Amazon. After multiple customers returned defective products, Amazon began investigating and contacted Nintendo for verification.

A Nintendo representative inspected the returned items and confirmed they were all fakes, containing no genuine Nintendo components. The counterfeit products allegedly included Nintendo Switch docks, power adapters, Pokémon GO Plus+ devices, and imitation NES Classic Edition consoles.

Authorities later searched Lapidus’ warehouse and found it filled with counterfeit goods. If convicted, Lapidus faces up to 15 years in prison. Investigators are also reviewing additional products discovered at the site, which could lead to even more charges. Amazon has since banned Lapidus’ seller accounts and removed any remaining counterfeit listings.

A Wider Issue for Nintendo and Pokémon

This case is part of a troubling trend in 2025 involving counterfeit Nintendo and Pokémon merchandise. In Italy, police recently uncovered a counterfeiting ring responsible for $50 million in fake retro games. Earlier this year, another individual scammed Pokémon TCG sellers using counterfeit cash.

Counterfeits have long plagued the gaming community, with fake Pokémon cards, Amiibo figures, and other collectibles frequently surfacing online. Gamers are advised to carefully inspect products before purchasing and to remember that deals that seem too good to be true often are.