Fighting Fraud
By Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland
Are your grandkids begging you for the hottest toy of the year? Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) Serving Greater Cleveland is issuing a consumer alert regarding counterfeit Labubu doll scams targeting buyers of the trending collectible toys.
Labubus, quirky collectible figures produced by Pop Mart, have surged in popularity, thanks to their “blind box” mystery format, celebrity endorsements,and rapid sell-outs. Unfortunately, this craze has inspired counterfeiters to profit from fakes marketed as genuine collectibles. Recently, over 70 consumer complaints have been reported on BBB’s Scam Tracker involving fake Labubus, often called “Lafufus.”
Consumers are getting lured by shady websites, social media ads, and pop-up sellers offering fake products or taking payment without delivering anything. One consumer stated, “This company marketed on sites like TikTok, stating they were a confirmed seller… after a month, the site no longer existed…without me receiving my purchased items.” Another consumer reported that, “Instead of Labubus, I received a small white bubble mailer with just a piece of cardboard in it. Now the company refuses to respond to any of my emails.”
BBB advises consumers to follow these best practices:
- Purchase only from reputable sources, preferably Pop Mart’s official website or authorized retailers.
- Check for authenticity features, such as matte packaging, QR code with Pop Mart logo, nine sharp teeth, consistent face color, and a UV stamp on the toy’s foot (depending on the series).
- Be skeptical of steep discounts; prices significantly below market value are often a red flag.
- Avoid suspicious online ads; fake retailers often lure buyers via promoted posts or social media ads that mimic official branding
- Use secure payment options; credit cards offer better protection than peer-to-peer transfers.
- Consult BBB.org and Scam Tracker for merchant reviews or scam reports before purchasing.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve seen scammers exploit toy trends,” said Pamela Anson, President & CEO of BBB Cleveland. “From holiday must-haves to collectible crazes like Labubu, scammers know how to take advantage of urgency and emotion. We want consumers, especially parents and collectors, to pause, do their research, and shop with trusted retailers.”
Report phony or counterfeit websites to BBB Scam Tracker at BBB.org/ScamTracker to help warn others.
