Man accused of selling $2M in fake Nintendo & Pokemon items caught due to bad reviews

A Long Island man has been arrested after allegedly selling millions of dollars’ worth of counterfeit Nintendo and Pokemon products through Amazon, with investigators tipped off by bad customer reviews.

Isaac Lapidus, 34, of Lawrence, New York, is accused of running a scheme out of an Island Park warehouse that moved over $2 million in fake Nintendo merchandise since 2018. He was arrested on charges of trademark counterfeiting and conspiracy and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

According to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, the counterfeit items were flagged after Nintendo inspected products returned to Amazon. “They said, these are all counterfeit, 100%, no Nintendo parts at all,” she explained.

Fake Nintendo & Pokemon items

Authorities allege Lapidus used multiple Amazon seller accounts, including PandaVida Inc., Unibabe, ABC of product, This Too Shall Pass, and Zuzu Cares 4 U (later renamed ArminStore).

From 2018 until this month’s raid, prosecutors say he sold more than 200,000 counterfeit Nintendo Switch docking stations, 10,000 Switch dock adapters, and 15,700 Pokemon Go Plus+ accessories.

The fakes reportedly had incorrect product codes, serial numbers, and even misspelled Japanese characters that gave them away.

Office of the District Attorney Nassau County

During a search of the warehouse, investigators seized 46 boxes of Switch docking stations, 23 Cool Baby HD games, and 33 boxes of Pokémon Go Plus devices, which Amazon later verified were fake, according to prosecutors.

Lapidus pleaded not guilty in court and was released under supervision without bail.

Amazon issued a statement stressing its zero tolerance policy for counterfeits. The platform has since removed the fake listings and blocked the seller accounts tied to Lapidus.

Donnelly added that counterfeit electronics aren’t just a financial crime but a safety risk. “Counterfeit products are not just bad for business, they can also be dangerous for consumers, especially when electronics are involved,” she warned.

Prosecutors also revealed the investigation is ongoing and may extend to other counterfeit goods found in the warehouse, including mattresses, so more arrests could be coming.