Scots kids 'heartbroken' by flood of fake Labubu dolls as counterfeit craze spirals out of control
Scots kids have been left "heartbroken" by a flood of fake Labubu toys as the counterfeit craze spirals out of control, a top consumer charity has revealed.
Advice Direct Scotland said counterfeit Labubu dolls – the latest toy craze – were duping collectors, draining wallets and disappointing kids.
The quirky, wide-eyed Labubu - a mischievous forest creature from the cult-favourite Pop Mart 'Monsters' series - have been spotted with celebrities like Rihanna, Dua Lipa and Cher.
But the toys have now become the latest victim of global counterfeiting.
Originally designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, Labubu has exploded in popularity, with some rare editions fetching up to £135,000 at auction.
And fakes are now pouring into Scotland.
Hazel Knowles, consumer project lead at Advice Direct Scotland, said: 'We are concerned by the surge in fake Labubu toys flooding the Scottish market.
'These counterfeits are not only deceiving collectors and draining hard-earned money from families, but they're also leaving children heartbroken.
'We urge consumers to be vigilant, buy only from trusted retailers and report suspected fakes.
'No child should be disappointed by a counterfeit toy made with inferior materials.
'We've had reports that the counterfeit goods are of very poor quality and are not made to last at all.'
Funny memes and TikTok videos have made the Labubu toys go viral turning the dolls into ultra-desirable collectibles.
One dad, who turned to Advice Direct Scotland for support, said: 'After closer inspection, I noticed several discrepancies that indicated these products were not genuine.
'The packaging and branding differ from authentic Labubu collectables. I have also verified that the QR code on them does not go to the correct website of the manufacturer.'
The telltale signs of a fake include overly vibrant colours, incorrect teeth count, with authentic Labubus having exactly nine.
Counterfeits also have missing UV authenticity stamps, introduced in 2024.
The surge in fake goods has been traced back to factories in China, where production lines churn out thousands of knockoffs priced as low as £4 each.
Chinese authorities have recently shut down several plants and seized more than 20,000 fake Labubu toys in a single day.
Despite the crackdown, many of these fakes had already slipped through customs and into the hands of unsuspecting UK buyers.
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East Ayrshire Trading Standards also issued a warning on Tuesday, saying it was "aware of concerns of safety and counterfeiting" of the popular dolls, urging potential buyers to "please take care".
Pop Mart, the Beijing-based toy giant behind Labubu, has yet to comment publicly on the UK counterfeit wave.
But insiders say the company is reportedly working with international customs and IP lawyers to stem the tide.
Hazel Knowles added: 'To be on the safe side, only purchase Labubu toys from verified retailers. If the deal looks too good to be true - it probably is.
'With Labubu mania showing no signs of slowing, collectors are being urged to stay vigilant.
'It's like Pokémon in the '90s but with shoddy counterfeits flooding the market. These fakes are all over the place now.'
With official supplies out of stock at many US Pop Mart branches, enthusiasts there have also turned to resale sites.
On one resale website, Labubus originally priced at around £37 are being sold for anywhere between £105 and £229.
If you have a complaint or concern about goods or services, you can contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000.
The helpline is open from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. You can chat to an advisor online or contact them via social media.
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