The viral “Labubu” toy, a snaggle-toothed, elf-like creature that has taken TikTok and celebrity culture by storm, is at the center of a new, dangerous trend: a global flood of counterfeit versions that are a severe public safety risk. Law enforcement and consumer protection agencies across the UK are now seizing thousands of these “Lafufu” fakes, warning that they are a dangerous choking hazard for children and may contain toxic materials.
What began as a niche collectible from Chinese company Pop Mart, with its limited-edition “blind boxes” and celebrity endorsements from the likes of Blackpink’s Lisa and Dua Lipa, has become a multi-million-pound black market target for criminals. The toys’ scarcity, with authentic versions often selling out in seconds online and fetching hundreds of pounds on the secondary market, has created a fertile ground for a wave of low-cost, dangerous knock-offs.
Recent raids on industrial estates and warehouses in the London area have uncovered “millions of pounds worth” of fake Labubus, with authorities confirming the existence of a highly organized counterfeit network. The rush to capitalize on the trend has led to a complete disregard for safety standards. “These [counterfeit] products lack the necessary safety testing and small parts can become loose, posing a choking hazard to young children,” said Cllr Hamid Khurram of Bolton Council’s Regulatory Services, which has been at the forefront of recent seizures.
The dangers of these “Lafufu” fakes are not just theoretical. Trading standards officers have been issuing urgent warnings after discovering that the counterfeit dolls are of poor quality, with eyes, hands, and feet that easily detach. The stitching is often loose, exposing the filling inside, which can also pose a choking hazard. In a stark demonstration, officers have used a plastic tube shaped like a child’s throat to show how easily the detached parts can cause a blockage.
“It’s in the interests of these criminal organizations to respond quickly to trends to maximize it, to get on the back of it and make the most money that they possibly can,” said a spokesperson for the Intellectual Property Office, adding that the fakes “could be made from anything.” This includes a disturbing possibility of toxic plastics and banned chemicals that have been linked to cancers in other counterfeit toy cases.
For many parents, the temptation of a cheaper alternative is hard to resist, especially as their children are swept up in the TikTok craze. One mother from Caerphilly admitted to purchasing fakes for her son’s birthday after being unable to justify the price of the authentic versions. Just hours after receiving the gift, the keyring came off, followed by parts of the toy’s feet a few days later.
While some TikTok users have embraced the “Lafufu” trend with ironic humor, creating content about their comical, low-quality fakes, consumer protection agencies and local councils are not laughing. They are urging parents and collectors to be vigilant, looking for key signs of a fake:
- Packaging: Counterfeit boxes are often shiny and vibrant, with blurry logos, in contrast to the matte finish and muted colors of authentic products.
- Safety Marks: Genuine toys are legally required to have a CE or UKCA safety mark and the name of a UK or EU-based supplier. Fakes often lack these labels entirely.
- Price: If the price seems “too good to be true,” it almost certainly is. The scarcity of authentic Labubus means cheap versions are a major red flag.
- Quality: Fakes often have sloppy paint jobs, cheap fur, and loose parts. The eyes may be poorly glued, and the teeth might have incorrect spacing.
As the “Lafufu” black market continues to thrive on the back of the viral Labubu trend, authorities are working to dismantle the criminal networks behind it. The message to consumers is clear: the lure of a bargain online or from an unverified seller is not worth the serious safety risks these dangerous fakes pose.