(WGN) — It seems like Labubu dolls, the Chinese plush figurines that have taken social media and fashion by storm, are just about everywhere these days. But like with any popular product, knock-offs of the PopMart dolls are already cropping up across various marketplaces.
And some of these look-a-likes are so poorly made as to be become dangerous, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The CPSC recently issued an urgent safety warning after reports of the “dupe” dolls — which are sold in doll-sizes and also as plush keychains — can be small enough to fit inside a child’s mouth and block their airways.
Police recover $30,000 worth of Labubus from California heist
CPSC says they have also received reports of counterfeit Labubu dolls that break apart easily, releasing small pieces — posing a choking hazard.
“These fake Labubu dolls are dangerous, illegal, and have no place in American homes,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman. “No parent should have to wonder if a toy will stop their child from breathing. Protect your children and buy only from reputable sellers.”
Authorities are warning American consumers about counterfeit Labubu dolls currently on the market. The look-a-likes may break apart and pose a choking hazard to children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says (Courtesy of CPSC)
How do you know if a Labubu is a “Fauxbubu”?
Rise of Labubu toys comes with risks for retailers and consumers
The CPSC says there a few things to look out for, including being sure to purchase dolls from known sellers or trusted online marketplaces only. Potential buyers should be aware of how much a particular Labubu retails for and should expect prices to hover in that range. Be suspicious of huge discounts, which the commission says can often signal fake products.
How to spot a fake Labubu
Does it have the proper markings/tags? Authentic Pop Mart Labubu dolls feature a holographic Pop Mart sticker, a scannable QR code linking to the official Pop Mart site, and (on newer editions) a subtle UV stamp on one foot.
Is something kind of “off” about it? The CPSC explains that knock-off Labubus often have overly bright colors compared to the originals. Another dead-giveaway: Count the teeth, says CPSC. Genuine Labubus have nine teeth.
Does it have safety labels? — Toys with small parts should come with choking hazard warnings and independent safety certification marks. Any legitimate product, especially one as notable as this product, would have them.
The problem is happening elsewhere in the world, too.
The U.K.’s Chartered Trading Standards Institute (its version of the CPSC) recently released a similar warning. The CTSI said it seized over 2,000 counterfeit Labubu dolls from 13 retailers in just one month.
Meanwhile, some people aren’t stopping at fakes.
Earlier this month, masked thieves broke into a Los Angeles-area store and made out with about $7,000 worth of Labubu dolls that were ultimately recovered. And that’s not even the biggest Labubu heist yet.
$7K worth of Labubu dolls stolen from Los Angeles store, authorities say
Last week, police in Chino, California, (located about halfway between Los Angeles and San Bernardino) announced they’d recovered $30,000 worth of Labubus stolen from an area warehouse. Authorities said they recovered the 14 stolen boxes of dolls from a local home and identified two minor suspects, who were said to have worked at the warehouse.
Chino police said evidence indicated the stolen Labubu dolls were getting ready to be resold and shipped across the U.S.
For more information about counterfeit Labubus, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website.
