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In the outskirts of London, an industrial estate is abuzz with activity as police vans and empty lorries disrupt the regular flow of traffic. Their mission: to seize thousands of fake Labubu dolls. What started as an investigation at a corner shop in south Wales has led Trading Standards officers to uncover a massive stash of counterfeit products hidden above the retail outlet. Among the sea of fake goods, the mischievous-looking dolls at the heart of a viral TikTok craze have piqued the authorities’ interest.
The popularity of these Labubu dolls has elevated parent company Pop Mart’s revenue significantly, with Forbes reporting a substantial increase in total revenue to £1.33bn ($1.81bn) last year. The demand for these dolls transcends age groups, as children and adults alike go to great lengths to secure an authentic piece. However, the market is not without its challenges, as scalpers exploit the craze by purchasing genuine products in bulk for resale, flooding the market with counterfeit versions.
Amidst the rise in fake Labubus hitting the market, authorities are concerned about the safety hazards these counterfeit products pose. Trading Standards officers have encountered dolls where body parts easily detach, posing a choking risk to children. One mother, Jade, shared her experience of buying knock-off dolls for her son, only for them to fall apart within hours of play. With a growing number of counterfeit products flooding the market, there is a palpable urgency to address the safety risks associated with these fake toys.
Investigations into the origins of these counterfeit Labubus have revealed a disturbing trend of criminal networks exploiting popular trends to maximize profits. The Intellectual Property Office warns that counterfeiting, including the production of fake toys, ranks as the second highest source of income for criminal organizations globally. As authorities crack down on the distribution of counterfeit Labubus, they advise consumers to be vigilant and cautious of suspiciously low pricing or substandard packaging, as these may indicate counterfeit products
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