The explosive popularity of Labubu dolls, the quirky plush collectibles, has triggered a wave of sophisticated scam websites designed to defraud eager collectors worldwide. Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has detected hundreds of fraudulent online platforms, often posing as legitimate retailers, which are deploying fake offers in multiple languages to steal payment details from unsuspecting buyers.
Labubu dolls, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and sold by Pop Mart in “blind boxes” – where buyers don’t know the exact doll they’ll get until opened – have captivated global audiences. This element of surprise, coupled with the allure of rare or limited-edition figures, has fueled an intense collecting frenzy.
Since April 2024, the hype surrounding these dolls has multiplied, driven in part by high-profile celebrity endorsements. This increased demand has led to resale prices for rare dolls skyrocketing to US$3,000 and above, creating a fertile ground for cybercriminals. Scammers are expertly exploiting the urgency and excitement to trap collectors.
Kaspersky’s research reveals that these counterfeit websites are highly sophisticated, mimicking the branding of trusted retailers, including Pop Mart, the official creator and retailer of Labubu dolls. They often entice victims with seemingly irresistible discounts or “exclusive editions” to lure them into entering sensitive financial information, such as bank card details or other personal data.
Examples of these multilingual scam sites include:
A website in Portuguese claiming to be an “official Labubu store” offering “original products imported from Japan” at a special price of R$ 47.90.
A scam website in Spanish advertising “Labubu originals” with multiple figures at “special prices” ranging from US$30 to US$79.99.
A phishing website mimicking Pop Mart in Hungarian, with Labubu doll prices ranging from 5,292 to 7,698 forints.
A website in French offering to “buy” Labubu dolls from US$12.99 to US$60.
“Scammers are leveraging the Labubu hype with scam sites and urgent calls-to-action that prey on fans’ eagerness to snag rare dolls,” commented Olga Altukhova, Senior Web Content Analyst at Kaspersky. “These fraudulent platforms are now appearing in multiple languages, which broadens their reach.”
Fans are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution when purchasing Labubu dolls online. Kaspersky recommends purchasing only from verified retailers like Pop Mart’s official channels and to double-check the website’s URL for authenticity. Collectors should also avoid interacting with any website that appears suspicious or offers deals that seem too good to be true.