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Fake trophies for sale online

2010-06-11 11:21

BEIJING - The winner of the FIFA World Cup, which kicks off on Friday night, is allowed to keep the coveted trophy for four years. But even you can own one - though fake - and keep it forever.

Replicas of the trophy are being sold online for as little as 6 yuan (less than $1) and as high as 2,000 yuan, depending on the size.

Cheap imitations of the trophy have become the most searched for items on Taobao.com, a major Chinese online trading platform.

All you need to do is enter Dali Shengbei, or the trophy, in the search and you'll see 1,296 results.

The smallest ones will fit in your key chain, while the most popular size - 36 centimeters high - is as big as the real trophy and sells for between 145 yuan to 388 yuan.

"We got the models made in Zhejiang province. They are made of resin and have gold plating on the surface," said a dealer in Zhejiang.

"Our model looks exactly like the real trophy, but is a little fragile."

According to the dealer, some models weighed only 2.9 kilograms. But those in his store weigh 4.9 kilograms, similar to the real trophy.

"I am going to hold an activity for the World Cup on June 11, and I will give the imitated trophy to the winner. That's cool!" said a buyer who did not want to be named.

She bought 10 models for 238 yuan each on Wednesday.

On average, each online store sells 50 to 60 such models.

A Guangdong seller had sold 613 trophy-shaped key chains by Thursday.

Also hot on the web are the national flags of the 32 countries participating in the World Cup in South Africa.

World Cup trumpets, stuffed toys and T-shirts are selling like hot cakes, too.

Yi Hao Dian, a Shanghai-based online store, which sells food and daily necessities, has launched a "World Cup package" that includes fast food, beverage, snacks and tissues.

"Our sales volume has gone up recently, but we are not sure if it is related to the World Cup," said Hanjun, CEO of Yi Hao Dian.

"But one thing is sure - such a big event is bound to bring business opportunities for online traders," Han said.

According to Su Huiyan, an electronics exporter, the Internet has expanded people's reach.

"Now people can get a World Cup souvenir without stepping out of their homes," Su said.

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