How to spot a fake Labubu in the online wild

The Labubu character, created by Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung, has a history dating back to his 2015 picture book series, The Monsters. But the Labubu craze we know today is a much more recent story. I remember watching my social media feeds blow up by these little creatures... It started in 2023 with the release of "The Monsters' Exciting Macarons" series in collaboration with the Chinese toy giant, Pop Mart. The plush keychains from this series became an overnight viral phenomenon.

Suddenly... celebrities like Blackpink's Lisa, as well as Rihanna and members of the Beckham family, were spotted with their own Labubu plushies. That's when things began to take off for this unique toy. I started seeing thatmy TikTok and Instagram feeds were flooded with "blind box unboxing" videos, where fans would proudly display their new Labubu's. It was the perfect opportunity for online influencers to create user-generated content that fueled the thrill of the blind box hunt.

I found myself going down the social media rabbit hole; however, I soon realized the community was facing a huge problem. With this incredible popularity came a flood of high-quality counterfeits, derisively known as "Lafufu." This created a new challenge for collectors: how to tell a genuine Labubu from a fake one.

The telltale signs on the box

I learnt that the original packaging is your first and best line of defense. Fakes rarely get this right. It’s the easiest way to spot a counterfeit before you even open the package.

• Materials and Finish: A genuine Pop Mart blind box feels like a high-quality product. It has a smooth, matte finish, and the colors are muted and professionally designed. Whereas fakes often feel flimsy or have a glossy texture... with colors that are overly bright and appear cheap.
• The Holographic Seal: This is a crucial detail when spotting a fake. The genuine holographic Pop Mart sticker on the box has a subtle 3D effect. The text "POP MART" also looks crisp and well-defined. On a fake, the sticker does not create that subtle 3D effect... and the text may look blurry. Additionally, there would be glaring spelling mistakes.
• QR Codes and Verification: This is a Labubu collector's best friend. Every authentic Pop Mart box has a QR code placed on it for authenticity. A real one will take you directly to Pop Mart’s official anti-counterfeiting verification page. If it doesn't scan or takes you somewhere else, then it's highly likely you have a counterfeit Labubu..
• Branding and Spelling: As mentioned above, always check for spelling errors and misaligned logos. Counterfeiters often make simple mistakes with the "POP MART" and "The Monsters" branding, which is a dead giveaway.

It's also what's inside that counts

Once you get past the box – that's if your Labubu came in a box – the doll itself also has telltale signs that showcase authenticity.

• The Feel of the Doll: Genuine vinyl Labubu figures have a smooth, matte finish and feel firm to the touch. Whereas fakes often feel like they are going to break easily or have a texture that is extremely similar to plastic. For the plush dolls, the fur should be soft and dense, with no visible stitching or frayed threads.
• Painting and Sculpting: Pop Mart’s quality control is extremely strict. The paint on a real Labubu is clean, with no smudges, chips or colors that appear to be low-quality. The eyes are glossy and properly embedded, not just a sloppy paint job. Fakes are notorious for their messy paint lines.
• Counting a Labubu's Teeth: This is a fantastic and very simple trick. A real Labubu has exactly nine teeth that are defined and then sculpted. Fakes often get the number wrong, or the teeth are just poorly defined and designed.
• UV Light and Foot Markings: For many newer releases, Pop Mart revealed that it has now added a hidden layer of security. Shining a UV light on the bottom of a Labubu’s foot may reveal a subtle, hidden silhouette. Also, check for the embossed "POP MART" logo and artist's name (Kasing Lung) on the feet... these should be clean and crisp.