Trendsetters are being warned to keep an eye out for fake Labubus as scammers try and cash in on the popular accessory.
NSW Fair Trading issued a warning on its Facebook page this morning, alerting consumers to the fact that fake versions of the accessories, dubbed “Lafufus,” have been circulating online.
“Labubu toys are all the rage right now – but beware, some online sellers are tricking shoppers with counterfeit Lafufu (fake Labubu) products or not delivering at all,” NSW Fair Trading wrote on Facebook.
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The post also outlined some tell-tale signs of a Lafufu, including the box it comes in being shiny as opposed to matte.
Labubus have nine sharp pointed teeth, whereas Lafufus may have more or less than nine teeth.
The fake ones also have differently shaped ears that are further apart than the original.
Customers shopping online can do so safely by only buying from trusted and legitimate businesses, being cautious of overseas websites with suspiciously low prices, and checking the website’s reviews before purchasing.
The rise of Labubus
Labubus are sold at Pop Mart, a Chinese collectibles store with retail shops internationally and online.
The character was first created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung in a series of illustrated books in 2015.
The character then gained wider fanfare after a collaboration with Pop Mart, turning the sketches into a wearable accessory in 2019.
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However, Labubu’s popularity took off after K-pop band member Lisa, from the popular girl group BLACKPINK, showed off her Labubu online.
From there, their popularity exploded.
Pop Mart’s share value has since skyrocketed to over 150 per cent, making it one of the best performers in the MSC China Index.
The store is now worth more than Mattel, Hasbro and Sanrio combined, with an estimated evaluation of over $60 billion – and that’s not including its predicted trajectory for this financial year.
