Shanghai police bust gang selling counterfeit Labubu toys / Photo: STR - AFP/File
-
Democrats, Trump hold final rallies before midterm elections
-
African players in Europe: Defender Hakimi's historic hat-trick
-
Japan urges US to enforce discipline after second Marine arrest
-
Struggling Slavia face Arsenal as grim record looms
-
'Remarkable' rookie Lendeborg scores 37 as Warriors beat Clippers
-
Vikings suffer first loss while Broncos edge Chiefs in NFL
-
ExxonMobil urged to re-think Papua New Guinea gas project
-
South Korea to double spending on AI and chips in 2027
-
Asian stocks mixed as tech sector struggles to rebound from selloff
-
On All Saints' Day, Philippine mountain town honours dead with fire
-
India's royals find new power in their past
-
Years on from fall of IS, French jihadists face justice in Iraq
-
Irish bookshops help meet UK demand for Sally Rooney novels
-
Point of Law favourite at Australia's 'race that stops a nation'
-
NFL Vikings suffer first loss while Broncos edge Chiefs
-
'Kid' Antonelli gets affectionate tributes from all quarters
-
Host of fresh faces in Australia white-ball squads to face England
-
Hamilton accuses Leclerc of wrecking Ferrari hopes
-
NFL linebacker Campbell to remain hospitalized overnight
-
Chervon Promotes Soobia Haroon to Vice President, Human Resources - NA
-
BEING rather than HAVING. A fascinating, practical STORY.
-
Chervon Names Thomas Scherer Vice President of Organizational Development - Sales, End User Marketing, and Service
-
Chervon Names Jody Grimsley Senior National Account Manager
-
Pre-season F1 favourite Russell 'not up to the task'
-
'Grateful' Antonelli becomes youngest Formula One world champion
-
Novak wins Mexico Open for first solo PGA Tour win
-
Four sporting prodigies who scaled the heights
-
Fast and funny, Antonelli becomes Formula One's youngest king
-
Six key races that made Kimi Antonelli a world champion
-
Antonelli becomes youngest Formula One world champion
-
Isa double sends Pau past Toulouse in Top 14
-
Japan's Shimada wins Skate Canada in Grand Prix debut
-
NFL Lions linebacker Campbell carted off to hospital
-
NFL Vikings suffer first loss while Allen sparks Bills win
-
Iran warns new war could last longer after Trump threatens strikes
-
Antonelli title bid halted by red flag at Mexico GP
-
Bulgarian president wins runoff vote as Black Sea attacks raise stakes
-
Shelton adds former Alcaraz coach Ferrero to team
Shanghai police bust gang selling counterfeit Labubu toys
Police in Shanghai busted a gang making and selling fake Labubus this month, detaining eight people and 5,000 counterfeit toys worth $1.7 million, local state-owned media reported.
Made by Beijing-based toymaker Pop Mart, Labubu dolls have become a must-have item internationally, adorning the handbags of celebrities such as Rihanna and Dua Lipa.
The furry, fanged creatures, which typically sell for around $40, are released in limited quantities and have caused frenzies at stores around the world.
Knock-offs -- many of which are also made in China -- have flooded online platforms, dubbed "Lafufus" by social media users.
The Shanghai bust in early July uncovered 12-million-yuan ($1.7-million) worth of fake Pop Mart toys, state-run Shanghai Daily reported late Tuesday.
Pop Mart notified police when a customer reported that one purchased online was in fact fake.
This led to the discovery of an online store that sold fans, speakers and gaming consoles -- but was also a front for selling the counterfeits.
Police raided a warehouse, detaining eight people and the 5,000 toys, complete with forged trademarks and fake anti-counterfeit stickers, the report said.
It is not the first time the fluffy monsters have been associated with crime.
In Singapore, CCTV footage captured a family stealing Labubu dolls from a claw machine last year, according to online media outlet AsiaOne.
And in June, burglars broke into a store in California and took several Labubu dolls along with electronics and other valuables, US news outlet ABC reported.
A.AlHaj--SF-PST