Fake Labubu dolls spark safety warnings amid global toy craze

BEIJING, CHINA - JULY 17: A performer wears a costume of a character from Pop Mart's hugely popular Labubu dolls series while dancing for visitors at the Pop Land theme park on July 17, 2025 in Beijing, China. The viral 'monster' dolls are so popular that Pop Mart, the Beijing-based company behind the craze, saw its profits soar by 350% in the first half of the year. The obsession with Labubu, furry creatures with pointy ears and exactly nine teeth, have inspired long lineups and occasional tussles in some countries as well as a growing black market for imposter products seeking to cash in. Labubu dolls, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, first debuted in 2019 but hit global status more recently when they became the accessory toy of choice for celebrities including Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Blackpink's Lisa. A key part of Pop Mart's commercial success with Labubu is so-called 'blind boxes' where customers find out what they buy only when they open the package. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA - JULY 17: A performer wears a costume of a character from Pop Mart's hugely popular Labubu dolls series while dancing for visitors at the Pop Land theme park on July 17, 2025 in Beijing, China. The viral 'monster' dolls are so popular that Pop Mart, the Beijing-based company behind the craze, saw its profits soar by 350% in the first half of the year. The obsession with Labubu, furry creatures with pointy ears and exactly nine teeth, have inspired long lineups and occasional tussles in some countries as well as a growing black market for imposter products seeking to cash in. Labubu dolls, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, first debuted in 2019 but hit global status more recently when they became the accessory toy of choice for celebrities including Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Blackpink's Lisa. A key part of Pop Mart's commercial success with Labubu is so-called 'blind boxes' where customers find out what they buy only when they open the package. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) Photo credit (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

They’re supposed to be cute and collectible, but counterfeit “Labubu” dolls are now raising alarms with parents and security experts.

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The fantasy creature toys, created by Hong Kong-based Pop Mart, have exploded in popularity worldwide - often selling out instantly and driving big secondary market prices. That demand has opened the door for counterfeiters flooding online marketplaces and pop-up shops with cheap knockoffs.

Investigators warn the fakes aren’t just poorly made - they may contain unsafe materials, untested paints, and in some cases hidden electronics. In Asia and Europe, customs officials have already seized shipments of counterfeit Labubu dolls that contained lithium batteries and unshielded wiring, raising concerns they could overheat or spark fires.

Closer to home, cybersecurity analysts are also flagging another risk: some websites offering the “discount” dolls have been traced back to phishing networks, harvesting credit card details and personal data from unsuspecting buyers.

Pop Mart has issued statements urging customers to buy only from official retailers, and consumer watchdogs say if the price looks too good to be true, it probably is.

For parents, experts recommend checking packaging for authentic hologram stickers, avoiding third-party sellers without reviews, and reporting suspicious listings.

The craze around Labubu dolls isn’t expected to slow down anytime soon - but authorities say staying alert could make the difference between a fun collectible and a costly or dangerous mistake.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)