Nintendo says the Switch a NeoGAF user posted photos from earlier on Thursday was stolen. This accusation came not long after the user posted photos from the device and claimed to have bought it from a store he couldn’t quite identify. Nintendo says that the Switch was stolen those who work with a distributor in the United States. Not too long after the photos were posted, the user says he returned the device.
Two days after the NeoGAF user hiphoptherobot opened the device and posted videos of the Switch’s interface, he wrote on a NeoGAF message board that he sent the Switch back to Nintendo. Many other users were under the impression that hiphoptherobot had been pressured by the company to return a device he rightfully obtained through a common retail mistake. However, in later posts to the message board hiphoptherobot made it clear that the Switch had not been obtained through legal means.
Hiphoptherobot told a source that the moment he realized that the Switch had been stolen was after he posted the videos. He also stressed that the moment he realized that the device had not been attained legally he sent it back to Nintendo.
Back in January, Nintendo hosted a launch of the Switch. During the presentations, there was talk about the device and what it would feature for its users. Nintendo told users it could expect the device to be available for purchase around March 3rd. In the U.S., it was estimated that the Switch will sell for around $299.99, whereas in Canada users can purchase it for CAN$329. Since the January presentation, the Switch has been available for pre-order for the prices listed previously.
In response to this incident Nintendo made a statement to IGN saying:
“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.”
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