Over the weekend, France’s anti-consumer fraud agency, the Directorate General of Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Repression (DGCCRF), published an explosive press release about Shein, alleging that the Singapore-based, Chinese-founded e-commerce giant “was marketing child-like sex dolls.”

Earlier on Monday, France's finance minister had threatened to ban the retailer from the country if it resumed selling the childlike dolls, just days before it opens its first physical store in Paris.

The controversy adds to a growing backlash in France against the giant Chinese online retailer as it prepares to open its first physical store on Wednesday in Paris.