Hundreds of fake Labubu dolls and illicit tobacco seized in Moray raids

Hundreds of counterfeit Labubu dolls and illicit tobacco have been seized from shops across Moray.

Moray Council has stated that the toys are poor-quality copies of those made by Pop Mart, which have gained cult status due to celebrity endorsements and social media.

The fakes pose “serious safety risks” for children, according to the council, and they have not undergone required safety testing.

Scotland

Can you spot the difference between a real or fake Labubu?

Toys seized from four premises were found to have loose parts, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Safety officers found that many of the fake Labubus had small parts – including plastic hands and feet – that could detach easily and pose choking hazards.

Others had poor stitching, exposed stuffing, or sharp internal components, creating a risk of suffocation or injury.

Fake toys seized elsewhere in the UK have also been found to contain harmful chemicals.

“The high demand for Labubu dolls has only amplified in the run-up to Christmas, so these raids have come at an important time,” Moray Council’s chair of the planning and regulatory services committee said, David Gordon, said.

“While counterfeit goods may at face value seem harmless, they are manufactured without adequate safety checks, and as officers have found, pose a serious risk to children and pets due to small parts that fall off quite easily.

Cllr Gordon added: “Any traders choosing to ignore these regulations can expect to have unsafe products seized.”

Recent joint operations, involving Moray Council Trading Standards, Police Scotland, and the Home Office Immigration Service, also resulted in the seizure of illicit and non-duty-paid tobacco products from shops.

If anyone believes they have purchased a fake or unsafe toy, or have information about sellers dealing in illicit tobacco, Moray Council has asked customers to contact Advice Direct Scotland.