Euro operation takes fake, harmful toys out of circulation

Over the last couple of years, the Europol-led Operation Ludus has resulted in the seizure of 16.6m packages of counterfeit and potentially harmful toys worth an estimated €36.8m ($42.7m).

Operation LUDUS V, which ran from 2024 to 2025 and has just been reported by Europol, intercepted 8.2m packages of toys, with an assessed value of €8.7m, which is similar to the 8.4m seized in 2023-2024's LUDUS IV but a steep decline in value from €28.1m. This year's operation also saw 194 people reported to either administrative or health authorities, down from 275 in LUDUS IV.

The seized counterfeit toys were mainly imported through regular shipping routes. Investigators determined that the main infringements were intellectual property rights violations, the presence of dangerous substances, and the absence of CE marking or EU conformity certificates.

Many of the seized toys indicated various hazards and risks. Completely evading the EU’s strict rules on products intended for children, these fake toys can cause asphyxiation, suffocation, drowning, cuts or burns, and expose children to chemical substances. Some pose choking hazards and could be ingested, while others may damage children’s hearing or sight.

"Fake toys are poisoning, deafening and injuring children across Europe, while causing major losses to the EU economy," said Europol as it published a new report – Cheating the Toy World – which aims to draw attention to the risks ahead of the upcoming holiday and gifting season.

The global toy market is valued at up to €300bn annually, and it remains the second-most counterfeited industry globally, according to the report, which notes the sector records the highest average sales loss from counterfeit goods in the EU at 8.7 per cent.

That represents around €1bn in lost sales, and 3,600 fewer people employed in the industry, said Europol.