Labubu, the super-trendy line of collectible plush toys that are taking the world by storm, are inspiring a lot of counterfeiters to produce some really convincing knock-offs. Some of these fake Labubu figurines, collectively dubbed Lafufus by the fan community, are almost indistinguishable from the genuine article, and plenty of collectors are taking extra measures to ensure that they haven’t just added one of these fakes to their menageries.
Created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, Lababu got its start as part of The Monsters, a picture book series that was first published in 2015 and is inspired by Nordic mythology. The first line of toys featuring Labubu and her friends, Zimomo and Mokoko, was produced by How2Work, but a collaboration with Pop Mart and an unofficial endorsement from a member of K-pop group BlackPink has rocketed Labubu specifically to superstardom.
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With all that popularity comes imitation, and there have been a slew of counterfeit toys posing as legitimate Labubu figurines, with varying degrees of similarity to the actual Pop Mart products. The mass spread of counterfeits can turn telling a real Labubu from a fake one into a difficult process, but there are several tells that collectors can use to suss out the impostors. Probably the easiest is to check the QR codes, which are generally found on both the tags attached to the figurines’ left hips and the boxes they come in, although some older models do not include QR codes on either or both of these sources. Scanning the QR code of a legitimate Labubu, which typically appears crisper than a knock-off’s, should redirect owners to Pop Mart’s official authentication website, where they will be prompted to enter the last four digits of each figure’s authentication code to determine whether it’s the real deal.
Tips For Spotting a Fake Labubu
- Scan the QR codes (box and tag)
- Check for details like stitching, number of teeth, face color, and softness of fur
- Ensure presence of embossed or UV logos on the feet
- Check quality of packaging
Detecting skilled counterfeiters who may be able to skirt the QR issue can be a chore, but there are other telltale signs buyers can use to ensure authenticity. The feet are a good place to start, as they should usually be made out of the same material as the face and should be firmly attached to the legs, but feeling them isn’t the only way to spot a fake. The sole of the left foot should have an embossed, easy-to-read Pop Mart logo, and models produced from 2024 onward also have a logo of Labubu’s head on the bottom of the right foot that’s only visible under ultraviolet lighting. Beyond these methods, customers may want to check for the correct number of teeth — real Labubus always have nine — soft fur, quality stitching around the head and pointed ears, and a pale peach-colored face with a matte finish on most series.
More than a half-dozen series of plush Labubu figurines have been produced since 2022, with plenty of non-plush toys dating back ever further. Even with legitimate figurines, some may have production errors that make them look counterfeit. The Big Into Energy Series, in particular, has had several buyers reporting Labubus with lopsided faces, which seem to occur most regularly in the blue Hope and green Serenity models.
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