Nearly 11 million counterfeit toys intercepted in joint OLAF–French Customs investigation

Press release no 32/2025
PDF version

A major operation conducted in close cooperation between the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and French Customs has resulted in the identification and seizure of more than 10.7 million counterfeit toys sold online. Many of these illicit products pose significant risks to consumer health and safety, particularly for children.

The case began when French Customs informed OLAF of counterfeit toys that had been discovered and seized while being illicitly sold by third-party sellers on online platforms. In response, OLAF launched a coordinated investigation at European level. As part of the operation, OLAF brought together investigators from all concerned Member States in Brussels to establish a coordinated approach.

Over the following months, OLAF supervised and supported extensive online investigations carried out jointly with French and Czech Customs. Thanks to OLAF's coordination and effective collaboration with the online platform, millions of suspicious listings were identified. Shortly after the start of the operation, many of these infringing items were removed from sale.

OLAF also worked with customs authorities and rights holders to coordinate the collection of samples and expert assessments. In France, these samples were transferred to the authorities for physical inspection. The results have now been formally submitted to OLAF.

"Counterfeit toys are not just an infringement on intellectual property-they are a direct risk to children's safety," said OLAF Acting Director-General Salla Saastamoinen. "This operation demonstrates what can be achieved when OLAF collaborates closely with national authorities and rights holders".

This operation marks the completion of the first phase of a broader EU-wide investigation coordinated by OLAF. Further operational actions are already being prepared with OLAF and participating Member States, intensifying efforts to combat criminal networks that exploit online commerce to distribute counterfeit and dangerous products.

OLAF remains committed to supporting Member States, protecting consumers, and ensuring that online marketplaces across are not used to channel illicit goods in the European Union.

OLAF mission, mandate and competences:

OLAF's mission is to detect, investigate and stop wrongdoings related to EU funds.

OLAF fulfils its mission by:

• carrying out independent investigations into fraud and corruption involving EU funds, so as to ensure that all EU taxpayers' money reaches projects that can create jobs and growth in Europe;
• contributing to strengthening citizens' trust in the EU Institutions by investigating serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU Institutions;
• developing a sound EU anti-fraud policy.

In its independent investigative function, OLAF can investigate matters relating to fraud, corruption and other offences affecting the EU financial interests concerning:

• all EU expenditure: the main spending categories are Structural Funds, agricultural policy and rural development funds, direct expenditure and external aid;
• some areas of EU revenue, mainly customs duties;
• suspicions of serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU institutions.

Once OLAF has completed its investigation, it is for the competent EU and national authorities to examine and decide on the follow-up of OLAF's recommendations. All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a competent national or EU court of law.

For further details:

Pierluigi CATERINO
Spokesperson
European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
Phone: +32(0)2 29-52335
Email: olaf-mediaec[dot] europa[dot] eu(olaf-media[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu
LinkedIn: European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
X: x.com/EUAntiFraud
Bluesky: euantifraud.bsky.social

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