Labubu mania gets darker: Hundreds of fake ‘demonic’ dolls seized by North Ayrshire Trading Standards
Saloni Jha | Jul 08, 2025, 16:30 IST
( Image credit : Indiatimes )
North Ayrshire Trading Standards has confiscated over 370 counterfeit Labubu toys from two Irvine shops, citing major safety risks and choking hazards. The seizure comes amid a rising wave of fake and possibly demonic-looking dolls that have been sweeping the UK, thanks to TikTok hype and viral Gen Z obsession.
If you have not seen a Labubu dangling from someone’s designer tote or backpack, are you even online? These wide-grinning, bunny-eared plushies from Pop Mart’s ‘Monster’ series have officially taken over Gen Z culture, with everyone from influencers to A-listers showing them off.
But with fame comes fakes, and things just got very real in Scotland.
In a dramatic twist, North Ayrshire Council’s Trading Standards team has seized over 370 fake Labubu toys in Irvine. The bust, which went down at two retail premises, comes after a surge in counterfeit versions of the popular plushies began circulating across the UK.
These knockoffs are not just shady, they are downright dangerous. Lacking the proper UK Toy Safety certification, many come with loose, detachable parts that pose a major choking hazard to young children.
While the authentic Labubus are collector-grade cuties, complete with exactly nine little teeth (a fun detail that helps weed out fakes), these dodgy versions are low-quality, overly vibrant, and cheaply made. Councillor Alan Hill noted that these dolls are not only likely to fall apart quickly but may also cause serious injuries.
He encouraged shoppers to avoid sketchy retailers and report any suspicious sales to the council. His warning? These counterfeits are not a good deal; they are a disaster waiting to happen.
Let us not forget the wild internet conspiracy theory: that Labubus are cursed or demonic. TikTok is flooded with cautionary tales about people experiencing "bad luck" or "supernatural events" after bringing a Labubu home.
Now imagine buying a bootleg version of an allegedly cursed toy? That is horror movie behaviour.
North Ayrshire is only the beginning. With Trading Standards planning more inspections in the coming weeks, retailers across the UK might want to check their shelves ASAP. Bottom line? If it looks shady, has more than nine teeth, or makes your dog bark at nothing, leave it on the shelf.
But with fame comes fakes, and things just got very real in Scotland.
Planning to buy a Labubu? Here’s how to spot the fake ones | Credit: Instagram/labubusobsession
( Image credit : Planning to buy a Labubu? Here’s how to spot the fake ones | Credit: Instagram/labubusobsession )
The Labubu craze turns chaotic
In a dramatic twist, North Ayrshire Council’s Trading Standards team has seized over 370 fake Labubu toys in Irvine. The bust, which went down at two retail premises, comes after a surge in counterfeit versions of the popular plushies began circulating across the UK.
Wang Ning becomes China’s youngest top billionaire as Labubu dolls go from blind box toys to global collectibles in celebrity circles | Credit: X/labubuababy
( Image credit : Wang Ning becomes China’s youngest top billionaire as Labubu dolls go from blind box toys to global collectibles in celebrity circles | Credit: X/labubuababy )
These knockoffs are not just shady, they are downright dangerous. Lacking the proper UK Toy Safety certification, many come with loose, detachable parts that pose a major choking hazard to young children.
Safety nightmare: What parents need to know
While the authentic Labubus are collector-grade cuties, complete with exactly nine little teeth (a fun detail that helps weed out fakes), these dodgy versions are low-quality, overly vibrant, and cheaply made. Councillor Alan Hill noted that these dolls are not only likely to fall apart quickly but may also cause serious injuries.
He encouraged shoppers to avoid sketchy retailers and report any suspicious sales to the council. His warning? These counterfeits are not a good deal; they are a disaster waiting to happen.
Where can you get the viral creepy Labubu doll in India? } Credit: Instagram/lalalalisa_m
( Image credit : Where can you get the viral creepy Labubu doll in India? } Credit: Instagram/lalalalisa_m )
The demonic toy theory rises again
Let us not forget the wild internet conspiracy theory: that Labubus are cursed or demonic. TikTok is flooded with cautionary tales about people experiencing "bad luck" or "supernatural events" after bringing a Labubu home.
Now imagine buying a bootleg version of an allegedly cursed toy? That is horror movie behaviour.
The internet now thinks Labubu dolls are possessed | Credit: X/liliacuntry
( Image credit : The internet now thinks Labubu dolls are possessed | Credit: X/liliacuntry )
Officials crack down on retailers
North Ayrshire is only the beginning. With Trading Standards planning more inspections in the coming weeks, retailers across the UK might want to check their shelves ASAP. Bottom line? If it looks shady, has more than nine teeth, or makes your dog bark at nothing, leave it on the shelf.
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