They’re tiny, toothy and taking over the internet. Labubu dolls have become the latest obsession, and now, they’re the target of real-life crimes.
Makeup store targeted
The Makeup Shack, a makeup store in Southern California, posted surveillance footage showing a break-in that happened around 5 a.m. Tuesday.
According to ABC7 Los Angeles, three suspects entered the shop and stole several Labubu dolls, along with a safe, electronic devices and personal items.
What are Labubu dolls?
The plush toys come from China’s Pop Mart, a designer toy company known for collectible figurines. Designed by artist and illustrator Kasing Lung, Labubu is part of a series called “The Monsters.”
These bug-eyed characters come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Each one sports a mischievous grin with nine visible teeth.
Beanie Babies may offer the closest comparison in terms of collector appeal. In their heyday, those plush toys were so coveted that one divorcing couple in 1999 famously split a collection valued between $2,500 and $5,000, according to HuffPost. Labubu dolls may not be causing courtroom drama — at least not yet.
Designer toy craze
Labubus are sold in “blind boxes,” meaning buyers don’t know which version they’ll get until they open it.
They aren’t just for kids. They’ve become fashion accessories for the likes of Rihanna and Kim Kardashian. Even NBA player Dillon Brooks was seen with one clipped to his belt, prompting a viral on-air reaction from TNT commentator Charles Barkley.
Global phenomenon
According to the Economic Times, the Labubu brand has grown into a $1.8 billion industry.
Being created in China, the Labubu dolls have been popular overseas for quite some time –– and they’re causing crime there, too. Police in Bangkok confiscated over 100 counterfeit Labubu dolls from a mall last year.
In Thailand, the Bangkok Post reports that the dolls must pass industrial standards before being sold. Those who import illegally face up to six months in jail or a fine of up to 500,000 baht (or $15,253).
While most dolls retail for $20 to $30, rare ones can resell for thousands of dollars on sites like eBay, which is one reason thieves are targeting them.
Pop Mart expansion plans
Pop Mart currently operates 22 stores in the U.S.
The company told Chain Store Age that it plans to double that number by the end of 2025, with more locations opening in key urban markets, making it easier for collectors to obtain a Labubu (or several).
