I’ve recently been made aware of the Labubu craze – a friend was asking me for tips on how to check if a website is legitimate. If you haven’t heard of it before, a Labubu is a mischievous little creature with sharp teeth and quirky costumes sold by POP MART. People are scrambling to get their hands on limited-edition collectibles, mystery boxes, and ultra-rare drops. Some of these are fetching exorbitant prices online.
But guess who else loves the Labubu hype? Scammers. In fact, wherever the hype goes, scams are likely to follow. Due to this, I thought it will be great to share the same list of cybersecurity tips with you that I’d shared with my friend so you can enjoy your collectible shopping safely.
If it’s too cheap to be true, it’s probably fake
Imagine that you finally spot the Labubu you’ve always wanted for sale on an Ad for an incredibly low price. It’s sold out everywhere else and you’ve been looking for this particular one for weeks. The ad claims that they only have 10 left and you are super excited to finally get one.
Wait a minute! Although this sounds amazing, what are the chances that a random site will actually have it, yet alone 10, AND at a ridiculously low price. Big red flag! Scammers thrive on urgency and low prices. Double-check the authenticity of the seller and look up reviews from real buyers before making that purchase. Remember, if it seems too good to be true…
Don’t trust random DMs
Scammers can easily slide into your DMs pretending to be sellers with “extra stock” or claiming they want to sell a rare Labubu. They’ll even go as far as sending legitimate-looking photos or receipts to “prove” they have it.
Always verify that the person is who they say they are by doing your own research – it can be as easy as a quick Google search to check if the seller is legitimate. And do NOT send money via bank transfer, cash app, or crypto to a stranger. Always use secure platforms like PayPal to ensure that you have purchase protection.
Check the website URL
Any collector will know exactly how to spot the fakes by looking at specific details before they decide to make a purchase. It can be anything from eye colour to packaging. You can use these same skills to check websites.
Scammers often create fake websites using similar names to the original website, like popnnarrt[.]shop or dellulu[.]com (these are just examples). These are the URLs of the website – the link to take you to the website. Always check the URL to ensure that it is the correct name by hovering over unknown links or bookmark the official store instead.
Secure your payment info like a limited edition
Before you decide to purchase, always check that the site has secure payment options. Look for sites that have:
- HTTPS (🔒 padlock in the address bar)
- Secure checkout services like Stripe, Shopify, or PayPal
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) for your account
Don’t save your credit card information on dodgy sites and consider using virtual cards from your bank.
Watch for fake shipping notifications
Sometimes, scammers will send fake shipping notifications that will either redirect you to a fake website or will download malicious software to your device. This is part of phishing.
Look for signs such as:
- Urgency to act now
- Unknown sender
- Unknown link
Always take a moment to clear your head before responding. Perform a few spot checks like hovering over the sender to see the real email address or hovering over the link to check where it will take you. If you’re not sure, rather visit the actual company website to check if they have updated your order status.
Use a burner email for sign-ups
If you’re registering on a new and unknown site for a chance at a Labubu drop, rather use a temporary or alternate email. Some shady sites exist just to harvest emails for phishing attacks or spam.
Report scams to protect the community
Even when you follow the best tips and guidance, there is always a possibility that you might be scammed. Sad but true. So, if you do get scammed, report the site, seller, or account to the platform it’s on. Also warn others in fan groups, Discord servers, or Reddit threads to ensure no one else falls for the same scam.
You’re not just protecting yourself – you’re also protecting the entire Labubu community from these unnecessary scams.
Enjoy your Labubus safely
A Labubu might look like a little trickster, but the real danger is the people trying to trick you out of your money and data. Collecting should be fun and safe, not risky. Remember to follow these cybersecurity tips to avoid scams. Keep your eyes peeled, stay cyber-aware, and don’t let the hype cloud your judgment.
And if you do score that ultra-rare Labubu – congrats! Just make sure you got it safely. Be secure!
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