Newham Council’s trading standards team seized dozens of fake Labubu figurines, in a pre-Christmas crackdown.
They raided shops and stalls selling the dolls, which have become globally popular after being sported by celebrities such as Dua Lipa, David Beckham, and Rihanna.
Since then, poorly made counterfeit figures that can pose a risk to small children have flooded the market.
Officers carried out the intelligence led raids on outlets at the Stratford Centre and Green Street.
The combined raids saw more than 117 Labubu dolls – some selling for £65 - and 56 Labubu keyrings being removed from the shelves.
Councillor Amar Virdee, Deputy Mayor, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Housing Needs, Homelessness & Private Rented Sector, said that the raids showed the Council’s commitment to keeping the public safe and a zero-tolerance approach.
He said: “At first glance these toys look like the real thing. It’s only when you take a closer look you can tell they are fakes.
“They are put together very cheaply and can easily break. Small parts like the eyes, feet and hands can come off creating a choking hazard, and they may be made with toxic chemicals.
“We know how popular they are, and how scarce, but you should ensure that you get the real deal.
“With Christmas coming up, and parents looking to save money, it’s tempting to buy cheaper fake versions. But they come with a genuine risk.”
During the raids officers seized one badly made doll with its head stuck upside down, other tell-tale signs included badly printed labels, and missing eyes.
All the retailers reported sourcing their products from East Asia, a region currently affected by severe export restrictions.
We investigate and enforce safe and fair trading and officers have written to the retailers warning them to only sell real products.
How to spot a fake Labubus, also known as Lafufus:
- Finish and Colour: Authentic boxes have a matte, smooth finish and muted, pastel colours. Fakes often feature a glossy, shiny, or textured finish with overly vibrant colours.
- QR Code and Hologram: Genuine boxes usually have a clear, sharp QR code, often on a holographic sticker, that links directly to the official website for verification. Be cautious of blurry QR codes, codes that redirect to imitation sites, or those with a significant delay before loading the correct page.
- Text and Logos: Check all text for misspellings, poor print quality, or misalignment. The small trash can symbol on the back of a real box has rounded corners on the arrow, while fakes may have squared corners.
- Collector's Card: Real Labubus come with a thick, sturdy, high-quality collector's card that matches the figure inside. Fakes may have a blurry or missing card.
- Teeth: A primary indicator is the teeth count: an authentic Labubu has exactly nine distinct, triangular, sharp-looking teeth (fangs). Fakes often have more or fewer teeth, or the paint job is sloppy with no distinct gaps.
- Eyes: Genuine Labubu eyes are glossy, embedded into the vinyl, and reflect natural light, giving them a lively, expressive look. Fake eyes often look dull, flat, lifeless, or may even stick out.
- Face and Blush: Authentic faces are a pale, peachy colour with a soft, airbrushed blush on the cheeks. Fakes may have overly vibrant orange or pink faces and harsh, circular blush marks.
- Foot Stamps: Genuine figures have a clear Pop Mart logo stamped or embossed on the left foot. Newer models (2024 and later) also feature a hidden seal on the right foot that is only visible under a UV (black) light, showing a silhouette of the specific character. Fakes usually lack these markings or have an overly obvious one.
- Material and Quality: Real Labubus have soft, high-quality fur (on plush versions) and seamless stitching. Fakes often have coarse, cheap fur, visible stitches, or feel too light and brittle.
- Ears and Proportions: Authentic Labubu ears point slightly inward and are closely spaced. Fakes may have ears that stick straight up or are spaced too far apart.
- The most reliable way to ensure authenticity is to purchase directly from official retailers.
