Aussie consumers issued urgent warning about viral Labubu toys
NSW Fair Trading took to social media on Wednesday to alert consumers to a spike in fake Labubu toys being sold online.
They warn that scammers are cashing in on the hype by flogging off counterfeit 'Lafufu' products or failing to deliver on orders altogether.
Fair Trading shared a visual guide to help buyers spot the difference between genuine Labubu figures and some of the knock-offs that are making their way into the country.
Key details include matte packaging for the real toys versus shiny packaging for the fakes, along with design differences.
Authentic Labubus have ears that sit closer together and feature nine distinct pointed teeth.
Authorities are urging shoppers to only buy from reputable retailers, steer clear of suspiciously cheap listings on overseas websites, and always check seller reviews before purchasing.
The official toys, sold by PopMart, retail for about $32 but are often snapped up by resellers who hike the price to well over $100.
NSW Fair Trading has encouraged consumers who have been scammed or have not received their item to report it immediately.
Labubus, which originated in Hong Kong, first gained popularity in Asia through 'blind-box' collectible culture and social media hype.
Its quirky design and limited releases quickly turned them into a sensation among collectors around the globe.
The toys are a popular fashion accessory, and have been seen attached to the handbags and clothing of a number of celebrities and social media personalities.
PopMart's valuation has skyrocketed on the back of Labubu's global success.
The company is now estimated to be worth $68.47 billion, surpassing major toy giants like Hasbro and Hello Kitty creator Sanrio.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Remember her? Vince Colosimo's ex-wife Jane Hall, 54, shows off her incredible figure in a bikini as she enjoys her new career
Australian actress Jane Hall is living her best life after staging a 'luxury escape' from the local media rat race. The former Neighbours star, 54, flaunted her trim pins as she luxuriated during a 'no filming afternoon' in Uluwatu, Bali. Jane, w ho separated from her ex-husband and Underbelly star Vince Colosimo in 2007, stripped down to a black bikini at the Six Senses Retreat Resort. 'No filming this arvo...' she captioned the poolside selfie, with her beach read snuggled into her chest while she took the picture. Jane has been exploring the finer things in life as a regular co-host of Luxury Escapes, alongside Melbourne chef Khanh Ong. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Captioning a vibrant video montage of the duo's visit to Bangkok last week, she wrote: 'I am VERY aware of how bloody lucky I am to do this job, year after year. Truly a career highlight. Especially this one! Back to reality now... Love from Jane X.' Jane has previously co-hosted episodes of Luxury Escapes: The World's Best Holidays with fellow Aussie chef Miguel Maestre, but teamed up with MasterChef alum Khanh, 31, on season five of the Foxtel series. 'Lucky to be sharing this experience with him!' she captioned a recent 'appreciation post' for her travel partner, whom she described as a: 'Fashionista. Prankster. Professional (and loads more that is not fit for Insta).' Other high-profile hosts of the envy-inspiring series include Cameron Daddo, Rebecca Gibney, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Holly Kingston, Neale Whitaker, Sophie Falkiner, and Shane Jolley. The mother-of-one kept her longtime fans up-to-date with her travels from Bali, to Bangkok, and beyond - after making another surprising career change. 'Back at it, guys. Uni means trains and study. If you're wondering where I've disappeared to…' Jane captioned a recent selfie. She has returned to study Midwifery – a career the multi-talented actress put on hold to star in the eighth and final season of Wentworth. Speaking to the Herald Sun in 2019, Jane revealed she had put her layperson ambitions on pause because she 'was a super fan' of the acclaimed Aussie prison drama. 'I had to get this role, I wanted so badly to be in Wentworth,' she said. 'I wrote, "Thank you for this job," on a piece of paper every day until I got it.' Jane, who played Rebecca Robinson for four years on popular soap Neighbours, had just finished placement at the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne when she got the call up to play prison General Manager Anne Reynolds in the penultimate season. 'The adrenaline I feel in when I'm in a room when a woman is giving birth is not unlike what we experience when we're truly in the moment performing,' she explained. 'It requires a lot of passion and it's very joyful, just like acting.' Jane didn't step away from the small screen for long, as in 2024 she starred alongside Annette Bening, Sam Neill and Alison Brie in Peacock's Apples Never Fall. She also picked up a huge credit as the voice of Rusty's Mum in popular ABC Kids' series Bluey. Jane began her acting career in 1985 with a guest role in the television series The Henderson Kids. She then starred in Home And Away as Rebecca Nash before joining the cast of comedy series All Together Now playing Anna Sumner alongside Rebecca Gibney. Jane then joined Neighbours in 2007 and remained on the long running soap drama playing Rebecca Napier until the end of 2010. She met her husband Vince Colosimo in 1994 on the set of A Country Practice, but the pair separated in 2007 after 11 years together. Vince is best known for his portrayal of Alphonse Gangitano in the first Underbelly TV series and as Neville Bartos in the movie Chopper.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Kris Smith does not look like this anymore! Former Myer model reveals his wild new appearance during stroll with wife Sarah Boulazeris
Kris Smith looked almost unrecognisable this week when he stepped out with his wife Sarah Boulazeris. The couple, who have been married for nearly three years, were enjoying some quality time in Melbourne with their faithful pooch. The former rugby league star, 46, was just as well known for his modelling talent as he was for his on-field abilities. As a long-serving ambassador for Myer, Kris often flaunted his sartorial style at various events for the department store chain. But Kris was a far cry from the catwalk on Wednesday, going rather casual for the couple's outing. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Fans would almost have to do a double-take if they passed him in the street, with Kris now sporting a shock of salt-and-pepper facial hair. His beard was also a tad longer than the Jason Statham-esque 'designer stubble' he was previously known for. Kris rugged up against the inclement Melbourne weather in a dark blue sweatshirt. He also wore a pair of plain white shorts that finished just above the knee, exposing his chiselled and well-toned legs. Kris finished his ensemble with a pair of white joggers and a pair of white Adidas socks that were pulled up to his shin. Sarah, 34, meanwhile, also cut quite a casual and comfortable figure in a light-grey sweatshirt. The former Australia's Next Top Model star also wore a pair of form-fitting, navy blue leggings and a pair of well-worn joggers. She wore her raven locks back for the occasion, tying her hair back in a ponytail. The couple looked happy to be in each other's company on the child-free outing, smiling as Kris dutifully held on to the equally happy pooch's lead. Kris and Sarah began dating in 2017, and became the proud parents of daughter Mila in 2018, before welcoming Frankie the following year. Kris proposed to his long-time partner in December 2020. The pair were celebrating their daughter Frankie's first birthday with a party in their backyard when Kris asked for Sarah for her hand in marriage. At the time, he captioned a gallery of charming photos on Instagram: '2020 wasn't all bad... she said yes.' The pair eventually tied the knot in Melbourne's Yarra Valley in October 2022. Ahead of the wedding, Kris told the Herald Sun the couple's three children would be taking part in the ceremony. 'Ethan is going to be in a beautiful suit and my girls will have their wedding dresses made which will be very similar to their mum's,' he said. He added it would be an emotional event and there was no way he would be able to 'keep a dry eye'. The fact that Kris was the one who proposed may have surprised fans, as earlier this year he'd insisted he would not marry Sarah unless she was the one to propose. He told fans during an Instagram Q&A session: 'I get asked this a lot... When will I marry Sarah? 'When she gets off her a** and proposes! It's 2020 now, she needs to propose, put a ring on it.' Kris also shares a son, Ethan with ex Danni Minogue, who he was in a long-term relationship with from 2008 to 2012. In 2019, the couple decided to move their family to Melbourne from Sydney after residing in the city for years. 'We did it, we uprooted the whole family our whole life's and we moved back to Melbourne,' Kris told his fans at the time. 'It was hard to leave the beautiful Sydney beaches and weather, but Melbourne is now to be our home... Looking forward to this new chapter,' he added. The couple shared a photo of Sarah at the airport with a stack of suitcases as she carried their little girl in a baby carrier on her chest.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Famous porn actress shoots a video with one of Australia's most controversial sport stars
Rachel Starr has gone from appearing in more than 200 adult movies to starring alongside Australian tennis maverick Nick Kyrgios in a new reality series for OnlyFans TV. Starr and her fellow adult actress Sophie Stonehouse have appeared with Kyrgios in the show Smash City, which sees OnlyFans creators hit the Pickleball court in an attempt to win $20,000 in prize money. The show was first teased by Kyrgios on March 1 in a clip featuring him and Starr enjoying a pickleball game. 'Who's your money on? Tennis meets Pickleball,' the post was captioned. Kyrgios is co-hosting the show along with Stonehouse, while Starr will be the referee for the matches. 'I enjoyed hosting it, and I love competition in general,' Kyrgios said. While OnlyFans TV promises the show will feature 'safe-for-work content', the same can't be said for Starr's filmography. She was inducted into the Adult Video News hall of fame in 2022 for her work, which includes movies like Cabana Cougar Club, Doctor Adventures and scores of other titles too graphic for us to list. Kyrgios isn't just a fan of Pickleball - he has also invested in the on-trend sport. After being invented in 1965, the sport has burst to prominence again in the last few years, with parks becoming completely taken over by adults and children playing the tennis-like game. A combination of tennis, badminton and ping pong, Pickleball is played with paddles and a hollow, polymer ball on a court about a third of the size of what is used in tennis. Some of the world's biggest celebrities have joined Kyrgios by getting behind the sport's Major League. Players are drafted by teams owned by people such as LeBron James, Tom Brady and tech billionaire Mark Cuban. Last February, Aussie cricket star Steve Smith also got involved by securing ownership rights to the Sydney Smash team. Aussie former tennis star Renae Stubbs launched an extraordinary attack on the sport soon after news of Kyrgios's involvement broke in late 2022. 'Just to let everyone know, I will NOT be investing in a Pickleball franchise & will never turn a tv on to watch Pickleball,' she fumed on Twitter. 'I would rather watch pain dry. Why all these tennis players think Pickleball is worth investing in & not the game that made them all the $$ is beyond me.' Kyrgios responded immediately to that rant, posting: 'lol I think [pickleball investors] LEBRON JAMES & KEVIN DURANT have a bit more of an idea what to invest in.' 'Not sure i mentioned Lebron and KD in my tweet NK. Also let me know how that ROI is in a year and prove me wrong mate. Or are they paying YOU!?' Stubbs replied. Plenty of tennis fans had their say as well, with many backing Kyrgios for investing his money in whatever he likes. The 30-year-old - who is still battling to return to the court after suffering serious knee and wrist injuries - is currently commentating on Wimbledon for talkSPORT after the BBC dropped him from its coverage. This week, he mischievously claimed Carlos Alcaraz and Jack Draper are 'fighting over' Emma Raducanu, despite the British No.1 talking down romance rumours at the tournament. Kyrgios also shocked Naomi Osaka by sitting in her player's box during her first-round match at the All England Club. The Canberran, who is signed to Osaka's management group, is set to play mixed doubles with the Japanese star at the US Open in August. Following her 6-4 7-6 win over Talia Gibson, Osaka was asked about Kyrgios in her player's box and she admitted she had no idea he was there. 'Oh, he was there? I did not hear anything, OK,' she said. Osaka added: 'Oh, my God. I jokingly told someone, "Hey, I know Nick's around, maybe he wants to come to my match". 'But I was joking, because I know we're two completely different players. Honestly, I would have loved to come to his matches, because I know he's pretty fun. 'Yeah, I think that's also a big part of why we're different is because I know he kind of tells his box what to do, and he probably would have noticed if I was in there. I kind of zone out most of the time. 'That's a little embarrassing that he was there.'
