Fake ‘Labubu’ products? Plush toy doll craze leads to Better Business Bureau warning

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – A recent string of scams has arisen concerning a furry plush toy craze sweeping the globe.

The Better Business Bureau of North Carolina issued a warning on Tuesday, cautioning consumers to be on the lookout for sham businesses trying to sell counterfeit Labubus and advertising affiliation with the parent Chinese company Pop Mart.

“Following a trend can be fun and exciting, but consumers should be aware that scammers are joining in selling counterfeit products,” Mallory Wojciechowski, president and CEO of BBB, said in a statement. “Be sure to research the product and where you are purchasing from to avoid losing out on money and fun.” 

Counterfeit product sellers post listings online or stock the products in their storefront; these items are referred to as “Lafufus.”

Online, fake product images and claims of official Pop Mart affiliation are often shared, making it appear like customers are buying the real thing, BBB officials said.

After purchasing the item, people often find themselves being sent a dupe or never receive anything at all. In stores, the counterfeit sits on the shelves, which likely plays into why most of the Labubu scam reports come from people purchasing from online retailers, as they cannot use fake images, BBB officials said.

The bureau offered the following tips for avoiding online purchasing scams:

BBB Tips for Avoiding Online Purchasing Scams

• Check out the website before making a purchase.
  • Scamadviser.com can often tell you how long a website has been in operation. Scammers create and close websites regularly, so a site that has only been operating for a short time could raise red flags.
  • Do an internet search with the company name and the word “scam.” This may locate other complaints about the site.
• Scrutinize reviews. Scammers frequently post positive reviews on their websites, either copied from honest sites or created by scammers. One trusted resource to check reviews is at BBB.org. Be aware, some review websites claim to be independent but are funded by scammers. Look at the bad reviews first. These are more likely to be real and can help identify scams.
• Keep a record of what you ordered. Make a note of the website where you ordered goods. Take a screenshot of the item ordered, in case the website disappears or you receive an item that differs from what was advertised.
• Pay by credit card. Credit cards often provide more protection against fraud than other payment methods.

There are differences between Labubus and “Lafufus” from their boxes to the figures themselves.

• Legitimate boxes:
  • Pale in color with a matte finish
  • QR code that leads to the Pop Mart website
• Real Figures:
  • Exactly nine teeth in their smile
  • Faces should be a pale, peachy color
  • UV Stamp on bottom of right foot on newer models

Click here for more information on the scams.