From Theft To Scam: 4 Labubu Toy Incidents That Went Viral
BY AFIQ AMINNOVEMBER 1, 2024
Source: Mothership. 8World, Singapore Prison Service
By now, you’ve likely heard about the little Labubu creatures, as they seem to be everywhere. So, what are they? Labubu was created in 2015 by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung and is part of a group of characters known as The Monsters. Inspired by Nordic fairytales, these characters first appeared in children’s storybooks.
In 2019, the creator partnered with Pop Mart to sell Labubu merchandise, and these collectables are now making waves across Asian countries thanks to BLACKPINK’s Lisa (리사), who posted her purchase on her Instagram Stories. Due to their recent surge in popularity and demand, many are eager to get their hands on these toys to join the trend. Here are four major incidents involving Labubu that have recently made headlines:
1. Family stole Labubu from claw machine
Let’s start with the most recent incident. A man and his family were caught stealing Labubu prizes from a claw machine on the fourth floor of Sim Lim Square in Singapore. The man was seen tampering with the machine and took three of the popular dolls, valued at RM345 in total. The store owner filed a police report and indicated that further action would be taken if the figures were not returned soon.
2. Woman scammed of RM20k trying to purchase Labubu
Another example of why you should never fully trust resellers involves a Malaysian woman who fell victim to a scam while attempting to purchase a batch of Labubu toys from an Instagram seller. Reports indicate that she transferred money from five different bank accounts, ultimately losing a total of RM20,000, as she received no updates from the seller.
3. Student’s Labubu keychain stolen while out shopping
This incident occurred last month, coinciding with Labubu’s rise to viral fame on social media. A 17-year-old Singaporean student discovered that her Labubu keychain was missing, finding only the hook left on her handbag. Speaking to the media, the teenager decided to no longer showcase her valuable belongings when out in public saying, “I’m not bringing mine out again. If it’s going to get stolen, I’d rather keep it at home.”
4. Prison inmates crochet outfits for Labubu for RM49
At least one wholesome outcome has emerged from the Labubu trend. Mothership reported that four women inmates at Changi Prison Complex Institution A4 created outfits for the popular Labubu toys. This initiative is part of the prison’s Art Behind Bars programme, one of several rehabilitation schemes for female inmates. These adorable outfits will be sold at Just BrewIN café for RM49, with all proceeds going to the Yellow Ribbon Fund.
