Wii points Brazil trick - is it fraud?

[egparadigm]

I have a US Wii and would like to finally get around to trying the VC. However, I was under the impression that the Brazil trick might be in some way illegal or against the wishes of Nintendo, such that I might get banned for using this method at some point in the future. I understand MS have banned XBL users.

Is it fraud and how likely is Nintendo to ban people in the future for this, either way?

Thanks.

[Mayhem]

Had a US Wii a year now and still can access online fine!

It's not fraud... you ARE using your own credit card right?

So you are using your own credit card to buy points... can't see the issue. You input your real postcode and off it goes to check. Not our fault Brazil isn't so strict on checks as the US are...

[AllYourBase]

I've used this method for a full year now. Nintendo don't care. Go for it!

[briareos_kerensky]

It's not fraud... you ARE using your own credit card right?

Theorically you're using a service meant for the Americas in Europe, on a machine that couldn't be used in Europe ad so on...Sony won over these things against Lik Sang. Fortunately enough Nintendo don't and most probably won't care, the net income of the VC should be around 95% for each game...it doesn't print money but it shows them on a screen, which is even cheaper

[egparadigm]

I guess if you enter your own details and your card is being charged then it must be OK. I just thought it might be a bit dubious if you are claiming to live in Brazil. Are post codes international then? Unique to the country of origin?

[kryss]

Postcodes vary by country, there isn't an international standard.

[toythatkills]

If in doubt, just buy a points card from VG+ or somewhere. They'll email you the code so it's not much slower

Postcodes vary by country, there isn't an international standard.

This. I imagine Brazil just happen to use a similar system to the UK

[arcnas]

Brazil dont use postal code like the rest of us, so thats why it works, its hardly fraud as nintendo still get your money for the points , all be a bit cheaper because of exchange rates

[egparadigm]

The only problem with buying though VG+ is that it's 1.5x as much as using a card. Is there anywhere that sells them cheaper?

[toythatkills]

Tronix

Might have to request email shipping, maybe.

[smouty]

Theorically you're using a service meant for the Americas in Europe, on a machine that couldn't be used in Europe ad so on...Sony won over these things against Lik Sang. Fortunately enough Nintendo don't and most probably won't care, the net income of the VC should be around 95% for each game...it doesn't print money but it shows them on a screen, which is even cheaper

People move around all the time
I doubt even $ony would expect you to but a new console when you move and as Nintendo will sell you a UK PSU if you ring them up and tell them you have moved I don't see them having a problem with it.
The simple answer from a consumer point of view is to do away with region coding.