Toys
Around Christmas, certain toys are often sold out or hard to get in regular retail, such as limited LEGO sets, sought-after games consoles or current trend toys. Fake shops show the wanted product as in stock.
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October: peak
- November: peak
- December: peak
A surge from October to December in the run-up to the Christmas trade.
What is different in the fake shop
The bait in toys is an item that no longer exists elsewhere, often without a striking discount.
| What is different in the fake shop | At known retailers | In the fake shop |
|---|---|---|
| Availability shortly before Christmas | The sought-after item is sold out | Available immediately |
| CE mark | On the product and in the description | Only as an image in the shop, not shown on the product |
| Price | In line with the market | Often no striking discount |
| Payment methods | Also invoice or with buyer protection | Often advance payment only |
Profile
- Typical products
- Construction brick sets, collectible figures, console accessories, dolls’ houses, ride-on toys and baby equipment.
- Price pattern
- Often no striking discount: the bait is the availability of an item that is sold out elsewhere.
- What is faked
- Availability shortly before Christmas, plus mandatory markings such as the CE mark that are missing on replicas or only pictured.
What to watch for in Toys
The general warning signs with examples- A product sold out everywhere else is “available immediately” here, often shortly before Christmas.
- Strong time pressure through countdowns, availability notices or “last chance” wording.
- Age ratings, CE marking or safety notices, which are legally required for toys, are missing.
- Payment is possible only by advance transfer; purchase on invoice or buyer protection is missing.
Typical scams in Toys
- A shop displays a currently sought-after toy that is sold out in the trade as supposedly available immediately.
- The presentation creates time pressure (“available today only”, “last items before Christmas”) and advance payment is demanded.
- After payment, no delivery arrives, or a recognisably inferior imitation of the original product is sent.
- Product descriptions and images are recognisably copied from the official manufacturer’s shop, sometimes including the brand logo.
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