SHANGHAI: Police in Shanghai busted a gang making and selling fake Labubus this month, detaining eight people and 5,000 counterfeit toys worth US$1.7 million, local state-owned media reported.Made by Beijing-based toymaker Pop Mart, Labubu dolls have become a must-have item internationally, adorning the handbags of celebrities such as Rihanna and Dua Lipa.The furry, fanged creatures, which typically sell for around US$40, are released in limited quantities and have caused frenzies at stores around the world.Knock-offs - many of which are also made in China - have flooded online platforms, dubbed "Lafufus" by social media users.The Shanghai bust in early July uncovered 12 million yuan (US$1.7 million) worth of fake Pop Mart toys, state-run Shanghai Daily reported on late Tuesday (Jul 29).Pop Mart notified police when a customer reported that one purchased online was in fact fake.This led to the discovery of an online store that sold fans, speakers and gaming consoles - but was also a front for selling the counterfeits.Police raided a warehouse, detaining eight people and the 5,000 toys, complete with forged trademarks and fake anti-counterfeit stickers, the report said.It is not the first time the fluffy monsters have been associated with crime.In Singapore, CCTV footage captured a family stealing Labubu dolls from a claw machine last year, according to online media outlet AsiaOne.And in June, burglars broke into a store in California and took several Labubu dolls along with electronics and other valuables, US news outlet ABC reported.