A NeoGaf user going by the handle of HippoTheRobot originally claimed he was lucky enough to have an unnamed retailer send him a Nintendo Switch earlier than the March 3rd release date. It turns, that his claims were false and that the Switch unit was actually stolen, prompting for Nintendo to request he return it.

The Escapist Magazine quoted HippoTheRobot, where he stated…

“Not sure if I can really talk about it but I will say Nintendo has the console back and I am personally not in any trouble. Other than being out a console and the money I paid for it which really sucks with all the bills I have right now but it isn’t going to be the end of the world or anything.”

Originally he had made it seem as if he managed to get his hands on a Nintendo Switch earlier than everyone else. He claimed that he wasn’t sure if he would keep it because he was planning on selling his house and he needed the money to pay for repairs. However, it turns out that he bought the Switch from someone who worked at a distributor who actually stole the units.

According to IGN, Nintendo tracked down the thieves and will have the local law enforcement deal with them. Nintendo issued a statement to IGN, where they stated…

“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,”

Nintendo has made it clear, you don’t mess with the Reginator.

The Nintendo Switch won’t be available until a few weeks from now. HippoTheRobot could have spared himself a lot of heart ache by keeping silent and then reselling the Nintendo Switch on eBay close to release, but hubris got the better of him.