On the platform Shein: French justice system alarmed by sex dolls with "childlike appearance".

France's anti-fraud agency has contacted the judiciary over the sale of child-like sex dolls on the online marketplace Shein. The agency stated on Saturday that the platform offered sex dolls with a "childlike appearance." Furthermore, the dolls were described in such a way that "there is little doubt about their pedophilic nature." The agency has reported the incident to the judiciary, it said.

The company announced on Saturday that the dolls had been removed from the platform "immediately." It is investigating how the listings made it onto the sales platform and how the sellers were able to circumvent the company's internal controls. Furthermore, measures will be taken to prevent similar products from being offered by other sellers.

A screenshot published by the newspaper "Le Parisien" shows a sex doll with the body and face of a little girl, holding a teddy bear, accompanied by a product description with clearly sexual undertones. Alice Vilcot-Dutarte, head of the anti-fraud agency, told the newspaper that it could not be ruled out that children searching for a doll on Shein could be redirected to the sex doll offer with just a few clicks.

French authorities have already imposed three fines this year totaling 191 million euros on the Chinese-based online platform for violations of regulations on online cookies, misleading advertising and undeclared microplastics in its products.

The EU is also investigating Shein for possible violations of EU consumer protection laws and rules for online platforms.