The seizure of more than £22,000 worth of fake toys in high street shops and shopping centres has prompted a warning for Northern Ireland shoppers to be careful when buying Christmas gifts.

Labubu dolls, K Pop Demon Hunters merchandise, Lego figures and Disney’s Lilo & Stitch products were among the haul seized by Trading Standards Service (TSS) officials.

The items were seized from a number of high street retail premises and shopping centres.

Some were sold for £80, potentially misleading buyers into thinking they were genuine.

Some of the fake items seized by Trading Standards Service.

placeholder image — Some of the fake items seized by Trading Standards Service.

Stormont’s Department for the Economy issued a warning from TSS that counterfeit goods are unsafe and poorly made, putting consumers at risk.

"They undermine legitimate businesses that pay taxes and create jobs, while profits often fund organised crime,” the Department said.

Nicholas Lane, TSS Area Inspector, encouraged customers to always buy from trusted retailers, and if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

"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.”

TSS offers the following advice to avoid buying fakes:

Always buy from reputable traders.
Check the quality of the goods. Fakes will not be as good as the real thing.
Check labels and packaging for spelling mistakes and poorly printed logos.
Check the spelling and grammar on websites – often the people behind these sites do not pay a lot of attention or care to this detail. Fraudsters may also try to deceive you by slightly changing the spelling of a well-known brand or shop in the website address.
When buying online look to see where the trader is based and whether a postal address is provided – just because the web address has ‘UK’ do not assume the seller is based in the UK.
Ask the trader if there is a returns policy or guarantee. Most rogue traders will not offer this.
If you are not sure whether the items are genuine, do not enter your payment details – it is not worth the risk.