Hello my dears,
Is anyone here invested?
Is this the end of the hype?
Illegal trade, tax fraud, brazen counterfeiting
From hype to problem: the popular Labubu figurines are making headlines.
They are small, plush and have monster-like faces: Labubus. What began as a cute collector's item has developed into a worldwide hype.
But the boom is no longer just making for happy fans - it is also making headlines about tax fraud, counterfeit products and conflicts in the playground.
Conflicts at schools
At a school in the south of Stockholm, Labubus and associated accessories have become status symbols among children. Much to the chagrin of the teachers. The principal spoke of "power hierarchies and clubs where only children with Labubus are welcome". Parents were therefore asked to ensure that their children leave the cuddly toys and accessories at home - to avoid further exclusion and conflict.
Raid in Vienna
At the beginning of September, the financial police came across a pop-up store selling surprise boxes and Labubus in Vienna's city center. Turnover: around 43,000 euros in August - but without reporting to the tax office. In addition, there were missing working time records, an employee without a valid work permit and the suspicion that counterfeit Labubus were being sold.
The penalties could amount to up to 15,000 euros. Austria's Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer emphasized: "Anyone who cheats not only harms the state, but all honest taxpayers."
Vienna is not the only place where cheating takes place: At Seattle-Tacoma Airport, the US customs authorities confiscated more than 11,000 counterfeit Labubus declared as LED light bulbs at the end of August. If they had reached the market, the damage would have amounted to more than 430,000 euros.
The counterfeit products - often called "Lafufus" - are now flooding online platforms. Authorities warn of health risks: loose seams, small parts that can be swallowed and even toxic chemicals.
