Two young Japanese workers, both part-time delivery staff, became embroiled in a theft scheme tied to a highly anticipated release from Nintendo. Their plan involved exploiting access to a major online retailer’s distribution network, specifically aiming to siphon copies of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom just before the game’s official debut. The situation highlights how large logistics operations can become targets when a popular title creates demand and frenzy among fans and collectors alike.
According to interviews with a subcontractor involved in the project, the two men, aged 21 and 24, were approached and recruited roughly a month before the game’s launch. They were given an inside look at process timing and how shipments typically flow from storage to storefronts. However, as the release date neared, communication from the pair dwindled. They stopped reporting for shifts and effectively disappeared from the day-to-day roster, raising red flags within the warehouse team.
Eventually, one of the workers admitted to removing a copy of the game from Amazon’s warehouse stock in the days immediately preceding the release. A source familiar with the matter noted that, in many cases, new games arrive in storage about three days before they appear on shelves, a window that criminals often exploit to maximize their chances of selling unauthorized copies before official street dates.
In an unusual turn, the first suspect’s mother reportedly alerted an Amazon representative, mentioning that her son had been seen playing the game at home. This tip helped identify the offender, who ended up paying for a copy and was terminated from his position. The second suspect did not actually steal the game itself but took other items with the intention of selling them to fund the purchase of a copy for personal use. His absence from work started a few days before the game’s release, mirroring his cohort’s pattern and suggesting a coordinated approach between the two.
During discussions with the magazine at the center of the investigation, a subcontractor voiced frustration with how the case was handled within the corporate framework. The company reportedly chose not to file a formal criminal complaint against the Japanese workers, opting instead for dismissal and recovery of the stolen goods where possible. This response underscored the tension that can exist between swift internal discipline and the pursuit of legal remedies in theft cases within large-scale supply chains.
Across the Pacific, similar scenes have occasionally appeared when blockbuster titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom generate high consumer demand. In early May, a report from a major Japanese newspaper noted that some company employees sought paid leave to participate in the game’s early access period, a reminder that entertainment events can blur the lines between work responsibilities and personal interests. In some instances, employers voluntarily accommodated short absences to accommodate enthusiastic fans while maintaining overall productivity and security.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, released by Nintendo on May 12, is an expansive open-world action-adventure game. It invites players to explore a richly imagined landscape, solve intricate puzzles, and engage in high-stakes combat across a sprawling map. While the game has generated significant excitement among fans and critics alike, the incident at the distribution center serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of robust security practices, careful verification of shipments, and clear procedures for handling suspected theft within complex logistics networks. This event also highlights how retailers and their partners must balance customer enthusiasm with the integrity of the supply chain and the protection of digital and physical inventory within a highly competitive market.