Published: February 10th, 2022,
Last updated: February 10th, 2022

The mascot of the Winter Olympics has turned out to be a real bestseller in China. Shoppers are lining up for hours in Beijing despite freezing night temperatures to get their hands on a stuffed plush version of the chubby panda in a snowsuit named Bing Dwen Dwen. Those who don’t want to wait in line have to pay a hefty price: Online prices for the stuffed animal have risen steeply – the stuffed animal is sold online for more than $500. Even Beijing police have now issued a public warning against buying the mascot from bootleggers. On Wednesday, three people were reportedly punished for usury in the Bing-Dwen-Dwen trade after a raid.