The cult of Labubu has reached fever pitch and counterfeiters are cashing in.
The viral little monster dolls from Chinese brand Pop Mart have exploded in popularity thanks to celebrity endorsements from the likes of Rihanna, Post Malone, Dua Lipa, and Blackpink’s Lisa.
However, their meteoric rise to worldwide fame has also triggered a surge of fake lookalikes, flooding markets under the bootleg name ‘Lafufu.’
Now, fans are struggling to track down the real deal.
Knockoff Labubus have clear differences
Tourist shops and online vendors are openly selling knockoff Lafufus for as little as $10, a bargain compared to Pop Mart’s $30 price tag, or even more on the resale market, where rare Labubus have gone for up to $5,000.
Launched in 2019 as part of Pop Mart’s blind box series, Labubu’s creepy-cute charm — pointy ears, wide eyes, and a signature nine-tooth smile — has become a global phenomenon. But that signature design is exactly what’s helping some fans spot fakes.
One collector even spotted an obvious fake at a New York market with the tag reading “Pbp Mabt” instead of “Pop Mart.” Another lookalike was missing a QR code.
Others point to facial tones: authentic Labubus have pale or peach complexions, while overly pink, orange, or yellow hues are telltale signs of a fake.
Chinese authorities have taken notice. Last month, customs officials seized over 46,000 counterfeit Labubu dolls, with state media warning of a growing black market exploiting fans and violating IP rights.
Despite the warnings, some buyers aren’t bothered.
“It’s trendy and I thought it was cute,” 24-year-old Griselda Flores, who bought a $20 knockoff for her son at a corner store, told the New York Post. She later admitted she spent $76 on two legit Labubus from an online Pop Mart auction and it took her an hour to secure them.
With demand still soaring and supply still limited, Pop Mart’s success has even made its founder China’s youngest billionaire.
But for fans chasing the real thing, the Lafufu invasion might make hunting down a genuine Labubu harder, and more expensive, than ever.
Content shared from www.dexerto.com.