Hack-seller Bowser owes Nintendo $10 million, has paid $175 so far

The man who was sentenced to 3 years of prison in connection with a Nintendo Switch hacking scheme, has been freed early. He says that as part of the $10 million agreement with Nintendo, he must pay a percentage of his monthly income to Nintendo for an indefinite period of time.

Gary Bowser said in a Podcast interview, first reported by TorrentFreak, that he got out of federal jail early due to his age, health condition, and Canadian citizenship (he’s Canadian). In the near future, Bowser will be returning to Toronto. Bowser said that he was required by his plea agreement to pay Nintendo $10,000,000 as restitution.

“The agreement with them is that the maximum they can take is between 25 to 30% of your monthly gross income,” Bowser told podcaster Nick Moses. “And I have, like, six months before I have to start making payments.”

Bowser’s arrest in Dominican Republic occurred in October 2020. He was one of the three members of Team Xecuter who developed and sold hacking devices for video gaming consoles including the Nintendo Switch. Bowser pleaded to federal criminal charges on November 20, 2021. Bowser admitted in that plea that he sold tools to hack Nintendo Switch consoles, which customers then used to obtain Switch games free of charge.

He agreed in December 2021 to pay Nintendo $10,000,000 to settle the civil suit Nintendo brought against him. Bowser’s criminal sentence also called for a $4.5 million fine, but since he is returning to Canada, Bowser said he is unlikely to have to pay that.

It’s also unlikely Nintendo will ever see its full amount. So far, Bowser said, he’s paid Nintendo $175 from the money he earned working in the prison’s library and kitchen. His mobility is also limited by health problems. Bowser said in the podcast that he is grateful for his access to disability insurance and health care.