Expert reveals four key ways to spot a fake Labubu as toys start to sell for thousands of dollars

Collectible plush toy Labubu's are on the market for thousands of dollars, but how can buyers spot a fake?

Launched in collaboration with Pop Mart six years ago, Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung's creepy wide-eyed monster elves have taken the internet by storm after languishing in obscurity.

Over 48 million Labubu searches were made on Google in the past month, while 'Labubu fake' searches reached almost 500,000.

'Labubu fake vs real' spiked to 83% in the same time too, illustrating the authenticity problem at hand.

Now, business insurance comparison site Bionic has published a guide to help identify counterfeit products and explore insurance options to protect their Labubu from loss, damage, or theft.

Labubu fakes are a massive problem right now (MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

Packaging quality

First and foremost, start with the packaging quality.

Bionic revealed that genuine Labubu's 'come in high-quality packaging with sharp printing, embossed logos, and secure seals. Poorly printed or flimsy boxes are a major red flag'.

Detail and finish

Next, the finish and detail.

"Authentic Labubu figures have clean, precise detailing and consistent paintwork. Counterfeits often have sloppy paint, uneven edges, or incorrect proportions."

Branding and stamps

Don't forget to take a good look at the branding and stamps.

"Check for the official Pop Mart and Kasing Lung markings, including serial numbers or authenticity stamps typically located on the base or packaging."

Pricing

Which leaves us with the pricing - if a listing is 'significantly cheaper than market value', odds are it's not going to be the real thing.

Bionic has detailed how to spot counterfeit plush toys (MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Bionic's small business editor Laura Court-Jones explained the risks of duping customers if you own a business.

"The rise in counterfeit Labubu figures doesn’t just affect collectors, it’s a serious risk to businesses as well," she said in a statement.

“Stocking or selling fakes, even unintentionally, can damage customer trust and hurt your brand reputation. That’s why it's crucial to source responsibly and consider insurance to help protect against damage or theft due to insured events."

Insuring your Labubu is a thing now too, with the term 'Labubu insurance' cranking up by 210% on Google search this last month.

Laura went on to suggest: "If a personal item matters enough that you’d protect it over your bag, you should consider insuring it. Whether you're a collector or casual fan, insuring your prized possessions helps offer peace of mind, especially as their value rises.

“If your own Labubu is particularly valuable, it could be covered under personal contents insurance or specialist collectables insurance, which could help protect against theft, loss, or accidental damage."

The Labubu trend doesn't seem to be dying down (Edward Berthelot / Contributor)

Chinese authorities recently seized more than 20,000 fake Labubu toys in just one day. With loose parts that could potentially be choked on, production plants were swiftly closed by the Chinese officials.

Councillor Alan Hill commented on the importation of counterfeit Chinese Labubu's, warning: "These counterfeits need to be stopped and we are delighted with the work being carried out by the Trading Standards team.

"We would urge any retailer selling any of these items to think again as we will be stepping up our efforts over the coming days. It might look like a good deal, but these dolls are usually really poor quality and made with inferior materials and are not made to last at all.

"Not only that, they could also cause a serious accident to young people. We would urge people to only buy from trusted retailers and if you have concerns, please get in touch with our Trading Standards team at North Ayrshire Council."