Strange Discoveries: Thieves Allegedly Swapping Nintendo Switch Cartridges

Overview of Recent Nintendo Switch Scams

Unusual Findings: Nintendo Switch users are discovering googly eyes inside their game cases instead of the actual cartridges.
Targeting Nintendo: A growing trend shows criminals specifically targeting Nintendo products.
Refund Deception: Thieves seem to be exchanging game cartridges for googly eyes to deceive retailers into issuing refunds.

In an unusual twist of theft, numerous Nintendo Switch users have reported a bizarre phenomenon: upon opening their brand-new game cases, they find not the expected game cartridge, but a solitary googly eye. While the extent of this problem remains uncertain, Switch enthusiasts may want to be especially vigilant when purchasing physical games.

Recently, Nintendo products have been a focal point for criminal activity. For example, a staggering theft occurred in December 2024, where criminals made off with $315,000 worth of Pokémon cards from a grading service. There have also been alarming accounts of organized crime groups using collectible card transactions to launder illicit funds. Although the scale of these recent cartridge thefts may not rival that incident, the disappointment felt by consumers expecting to play new games is undoubtedly significant.

The emergence of these reports on social media, particularly on Reddit, began around late December. Users shared photographs depicting game cases housing googly eyes. A number of involved individuals purchased these games as Christmas gifts, while others revealed that employees at retail stores, such as Target, encountered the same peculiar replacement when handling customer returns. While some skeptics cast doubt on these accounts, an equal number of commenters shared their own experiences of similar occurrences, indicating a possible pattern, especially given the busy holiday shopping season and the anticipated backward compatibility of the upcoming Switch 2 with existing Switch games.

The Goofy Scheme: Swapping Switch Cartridges for Googly Eyes

The Grinch Got Us This Year by u/jhglock89 in NintendoSwitch

My son’s copy of Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD for Christmas was taken out and replaced with googly eyes. by u/Robotboss in NintendoSwitch

Googly eyes, didn’t think I would see it in person by u/lueyze121 in NintendoSwitch

The concept behind these googly eye swaps, while strange, has its reasoning. Some Reddit users have explained that the plastic eyes move freely within the case, mimicking the sound and sensation of a cartridge being present. This allows thieves to purchase a game, replace the cartridge with the googly eye, and subsequently return the empty case for a refund without raising suspicion from store staff. While this method may seem innovative, its longevity is uncertain. Reports suggest that major retailers like Target could soon discontinue selling physical media, which would effectively end this scheme. However, until such changes take place, physical games will likely persist on shelves, and retailers may need to consider alternative approaches to combat such fraudulent activities.

Despite the peculiar nature of these incidents, some individuals remain skeptical regarding the authenticity of these claims. The veracity of such accounts can be difficult to determine, but considering Nintendo’s upcoming lineup of exciting new games and the highly anticipated release of the Switch 2, it is likely that opportunistic criminals will seek inventive ways to acquire games undetected. For the time being, Nintendo fans are advised to exercise caution when purchasing physical games from traditional retail outlets to avoid falling victim to this bizarre scam.

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