Introduction to the Case
Inside a nondescript warehouse on Austin Boulevard in Island Park, police and investigators seized boxes upon boxes of fake Nintendo Switch Docking Stations, Switch Adapters, and Pokémon Go accessories.
On Thursday, 34-year-old Isaac Lapidus was arrested and charged with counterfeiting, a Class C felony that carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
The Investigation
“It was actually Amazon that brought him to our attention,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “They were getting numerous returns and complaints about the product that his company was selling.” Amazon, after flagging suspicious seller activity, coordinated with Nintendo to confirm that the products were counterfeit. The companies then referred the case to local authorities.
Scope of the Counterfeit Operation
Investigators say Lapidus had been operating the counterfeit operation since 2018, using five Amazon seller accounts to move fake merchandise to customers nationwide. Investigators said the seller names included:
- PandaVida Inc.
- Unibabe
- ABC of product
- This Too Shall Pass
- Zuzu Cares 4 U (now operating as ArminStore)
All five accounts used 4217 Austin Boulevard — the Island Park warehouse owned by Lapidus — as their shipping address. Records show more than 200,000 fake Nintendo Switch docks, 10,000 adapters, and over 15,000 Pokémon Go Plus accessories were sold through Amazon, totaling over $2 million in sales.
Response from Amazon
Amazon said that they would refund customers who purchased the phony products. "Amazon has a zero-tolerance policy for counterfeit products and since 2023, collaborated with Nintendo of America and law enforcement on the investigation that led to this successful enforcement action," a statement from Amazon read. "Once we identified this issue, we acted quickly to protect customers and the Nintendo brand by removing the counterfeit listings and blocking relevant selling accounts."
Community Impact
Neighbors say the warehouse had become a nuisance long before the raid, especially around Christmas. “They’ll have 18-wheelers — one unloading, one waiting,” said Cathy Hall, who lives nearby. “They block the street. We’ve got a school right here.” Hall also expressed outrage that the counterfeit products were largely intended for children. “It’s disgusting. These products are for kids,” she added.
Prevalence of Counterfeits
Experts say counterfeits have become common, especially in electronics. At Pay More, an electronics trade-in retailer, corporate trainer Jake Marquina inspects products daily for authenticity. "Nationwide, we get asked every day: ‘Is this real?’" Marquina said. "One or two out of every hundred Nintendo items we check turn out to be fake." He pointed out that counterfeit Nintendo products often have tell-tale flaws. "There’s a missing imprint, faint lettering, or incorrect font. It’s subtle, but it matters,” he explained.
Safety Concerns
DA Donnelly warned that counterfeit electronics aren’t just an economic issue—but a safety one. “He made a lot of money doing something very dangerous,” Donnelly said. "When you sell counterfeit electronics, the fear is always that they could cause a fire." Nintendo’s review of the products revealed incorrect serial numbers, flawed Japanese characters, and wrong designs — clear signs they weren’t authentic.
Legal Proceedings
Lapidus pleaded not guilty and was released to pre-trial services. He is due back in court on September 18. His attorney maintained his client’s innocence, telling NBC New York that Lapidus did not know they were counterfeits, and that there was no intent to deceive or defraud anyone. Lapidus’ attorney noted that police did not find any tools or devices that would be used to make counterfeit goods inside the warehouse. Authorities said more arrests are expected in the coming days, as the investigation continues. “We know he was in business with someone else,” Donnelly said. “We intend to arrest him next week.”
Conclusion
The case of Isaac Lapidus and his alleged operation of selling thousands of fake Nintendo products over Amazon highlights the ongoing issue of counterfeiting in the electronics industry. It also underscores the importance of collaboration between companies like Amazon and Nintendo, and law enforcement agencies, in identifying and prosecuting those involved in such illegal activities. The safety and economic implications of counterfeit electronics are significant, and efforts to combat this problem are crucial to protecting consumers and maintaining the integrity of the market.
FAQs
- Q: What was the nature of the counterfeit products sold by Isaac Lapidus?
A: The counterfeit products included Nintendo Switch Docking Stations, Switch Adapters, and Pokémon Go accessories. - Q: How were the counterfeit products sold?
A: The products were sold through five different Amazon seller accounts. - Q: What was the total value of the counterfeit products sold?
A: The total value of the counterfeit products sold was over $2 million. - Q: What are the potential safety risks associated with counterfeit electronics?
A: Counterfeit electronics can pose a safety risk, including the potential to cause fires. - Q: What action is Amazon taking in response to the discovery of counterfeit products?
A: Amazon is refunding customers who purchased the counterfeit products and has removed the counterfeit listings from its platform.
