The Trading Standards Service (TSS) in Northern Ireland has successfully seized counterfeit toys valued at over £22,000.

The haul includes fake merchandise such as Labubu dolls, K Pop Demon Hunters merchandise, Lego figures, and various Disney's Lilo & Stitch products.

The illegal items were recovered from several high street retail premises and shopping centres across the region. In some cases, the counterfeit goods were sold for prices as high as £80, potentially misleading customers into believing they were purchasing genuine, high-quality products.

TSS is using the seizure to issue a stark warning to consumers: counterfeit items pose significant risks due to their unsafe and poor quality construction. These fake products not only endanger consumers but also severely undercut legitimate businesses that contribute to the economy through taxes and job creation. Furthermore, profits generated from the sale of counterfeit goods are frequently used to fund organised crime.

Nicholas Lane, TSS Area Inspector, advised the public to exercise caution, particularly during the busy Christmas shopping period. He stated: "With Christmas shopping in full swing, cheaper alternatives may tempt families, but counterfeit toys carry hidden risks. Counterfeiting funds organised crime, including money laundering and forced labour, harming communities. Trading Standards Service will not hesitate to take enforcement action against any trader found to be selling counterfeit goods."

Advice for Avoiding Fakes

To help customers protect themselves, the TSS has provided the following key advice for avoiding the purchase of counterfeit goods:

• Trusted Retailers: Always purchase items from known and reputable traders.

• Quality Check: Scrutinise the quality of the goods; fake items will generally be inferior to the authentic product.

• Packaging and Labels: Look closely at packaging and labels for clear indications of counterfeiting, such as spelling mistakes or poorly printed logos.

• Website Details: When shopping online, check website addresses carefully for slight misspellings of well-known brands. Also, look to see where the trader is based and if a physical postal address is provided, as a '.uk' domain does not guarantee a seller is based in the UK.

• Returns Policy: Ask the seller about their returns policy or guarantee, as most rogue traders will not offer these assurances.

• Payment Security: If there is any doubt about the authenticity of the items, do not proceed by entering payment details.

Anyone with information concerning individuals or businesses involved in the sale of counterfeit goods, or anyone who believes they have unknowingly purchased such items, should contact Consumerline on 0300 123 6262 to make a complaint or seek advice.