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Student Discovers Scorpion in Shein Parcel: A Shocking Delivery Experience
In a bizarre incident that turned a routine online shopping experience into a memorable scare, Sofia Alonso-Mossinger, a student at the University of Bristol, discovered a live scorpion inside a parcel from fast-fashion retailer Shein. The 18-year-old electrical and electronic engineering student initially mistook the venomous creature for a toy, only to realize her mistake when it moved.
"I thought it was a toy - and then it moved," she recounted, describing the frightening moment. With the help of her flatmates, the unexpected guest was safely relocated into a tub before being collected by an expert.
Alonso-Mossinger detailed the shocking encounter, stating, "I unzipped the outer packaging and saw something move and was like, what's this?" Upon confirming it was indeed a scorpion, she quickly resealed the bag containing her new boots, removed it from her room, and summoned her flatmates for assistance. "I thought I was dreaming," she admitted, acknowledging her usual comfort with spiders and similar creatures, but emphasizing the fear of encountering a scorpion in her living space.
Her flatmate, Phoebe Hunt, also 18, responded to the commotion and found Alonso-Mossinger with "a live scorpion in a bag on her boots." Hunt remarked that they were "not exactly buzzing to have a scorpion in the flat." Initially suggesting they kill the creature, her flatmates opted for a more humane approach, choosing to scoop it up and place it in a Tupperware container.
Oliver James, another flatmate studying zoology, carefully transferred the scorpion into a plastic container using kitchen tongs. "It was a bit nerve-wracking," he confessed, as the group was uncertain about the scorpion's venomous nature. They provided the creature with water on a kitchen towel, which it eagerly drank, and some cardboard for hiding before seeking help from animal welfare organizations.
Despite their attempts to contact the RSPCA, which primarily focuses on cats and dogs, the group ultimately reached out to the National Centre for Reptile Welfare (NCRW). Chris Newman from NCRW confirmed that reports of such unexpected stowaways were surprisingly common. He identified the scorpion as Olivierus martensii, commonly known as the Chinese scorpion. Although its sting can be "medically significant" and potentially life-threatening, Newman reassured that an average adult would likely experience only severe discomfort.
"This is the second one we have had in under a month that has come in this way," he noted, highlighting the growing concern about such incidents. Thankfully, there was no sting in the tail of this tale, as Alonso-Mossinger reflected on the experience with humor. "It now feels like it is a funny story... but it was pretty scary at the time."
Shein has since reached out to the student to address the situation. In a statement, the company assured that it took the matter seriously, stating, "After receiving the feedback, we immediately conducted an internal investigation. Our teams on the ground have checked the shipment packing process and carried out an inspection of the goods in our warehouse and have confirmed that all standard operating processes have been adhered to."