UK student's shock: Live scorpion found in Shein package
A student from the United Kingdom, Sofia Alonso-Mossinger, experienced quite a shock when a package from the popular Chinese online store Shein contained not only her ordered shoes but also a live scorpion. This incident occurred in Bristol and quickly caught the media's attention, raising concerns about the quality control procedures at the Chinese company, especially since this is not an isolated event.
6:48 AM EDT, October 12, 2024
Alonso-Mossinger admits that initially she didn't realize what was inside the package.
At first, I thought it was a toy. But then this 'object' moved. It was a terrifying moment—recalls the student.
The shocking sight turned out to be a real scorpion, which immediately frightened her.
Fortunately, thanks to her roommates' quick actions, the venomous scorpion was safely secured in a plastic container.
I thought I was dreaming. I don't mind spiders, but it was terrifying to find a scorpion in a shoebox—recounted Alonso-Mossinger.
The Chinese company assures adherence to procedures
After discovering the unexpected visitor, the student contacted Shein to report the incident. In response, the Chinese store assured her that all standard procedures had been followed.
Upon receiving feedback, we immediately conducted an internal investigation. Our on-site teams checked the packing process and inspected the goods in the warehouse. It was confirmed that all standard operating processes were followed—stated the company in a communication.
Experts warn of the danger
Despite these assurances, UK media note that this is not the first case of unwanted "additions" appearing in Shein packages. These incidents raise doubts about the company's quality control, especially given the recurrence of similar events.
The scorpion found in the package turned out to be a representative of the Olivierus martensii species, also known as the Chinese scorpion. Although not always deadly for adults, it poses a threat, especially to the elderly and children. Its sting can cause severe pain and, in some cases, can threaten health and life.
An adult should be able to handle such a sting—reassured Chris Newman from the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, the organization that took care of the scorpion after its discovery.
The case of Sofia Alonso-Mossinger has drawn attention to the issue of quality control at Chinese online stores, which are very popular in Europe. Despite assurances of procedural adherence, the fact that a live scorpion appeared in a shoe package raises questions about the safety standards and oversight at Shein. This event not only startled the student but also captured the media's and public's interest, who are watching the situation develop with concern.
