The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) in the US has issued an immediate warning about a brand of fake Labubus, called the Labubu Lookalike Dolls.
The brand produces knock-off versions of the plush dolls that have become the latest trend, designed to be attached to keychains and handbags.
The original line of collectibles was made by Chinese toy maker Pop Mart, based on a character created by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung from a toy series called The Monsters.
The plush figures come in various different colours and styles, all sharing the features of pointy ears, big eyes, and a wide grin showing exactly nine teeth.
The trend of owning a (or often multiple) Labubu has taken off in recent months, with TikTok videos showing Labubu hauls or trying to find rare Labubus generating millions of views. People have even been seen fighting over certain versions of the dolls in stores.
Celebrities are also getting in on the action, with K-pop superstar Lisa in particular setting the trend.
Enter fake Labubus
Wherever there’s a viral trend, there will also be a cheaper knock-off version to go alongside it.
Labubu Lookalike Dolls have been sold as plush figures and keychains that are small enough for a child to fit the doll in their mouth.
The CSPC warned on August 18 that the size of the dupes means that they are a choking hazard for young children, especially as the organisation has received reports that fake Labubu dolls can break apart easily, releasing small pieces that can become choking hazards even easier.
The CPSC is advising consumers not to buy these knockoff products and to stop using them immediately.
While real Labubus generally sell for around £30 (or much higher for certain rare colours and styles, especially on the resale market), the fake ones go for as little as £20 or £10, depending on the retailer.
Retailers are called on to stop stocking the fake dolls, while consumers are warned to keep them out of the reach of children or get rid of them altogether.
