The skyrocketing demand for Pop Mart’s viral Labubu dolls has fueled a black-market surge of counterfeit “Lafufu” figures across China, raising concerns among collectors and sparking action from authorities.
The original Labubu dolls, launched in 2019 by Chinese toy giant Pop Mart, became an international sensation only recently—thanks in part to global celebrities such as Blackpink’s Lisa, Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Post Malone, who have all been seen flaunting the quirky collectible. However, with fame has come a shadow industry of bootlegs, offering near-identical knockoffs at a fraction of the price.
According to Dexerto, the “Lafufu” dolls have flooded the market in recent months, creating confusion among buyers and significantly undermining Pop Mart’s premium product. Priced as low as $10 compared to the original’s $30 retail value—often much higher in collector markets—the fake versions are tempting for casual consumers and especially exhausted parents struggling to meet their children’s demands for the must-have toy.
Some Lafufus are easy to spot, with noticeable differences in packaging, detail, and finish. Yet, as with many counterfeit goods, the fakes are getting better—some nearly indistinguishable from the original unless closely examined.
Dedicated fans have issued warnings and guides to help others verify their purchases, urging people to inspect packaging for the official Pop Mart logo and a scannable QR code, which authentic products carry.
Chinese authorities have also taken legal steps to tackle the problem. According to The Economic Times, over 46,000 fake Lafufu dolls were seized in a recent crackdown amid concerns of intellectual property theft and black market exploitation. However, this has done little to slow down the booming underground trade.
Despite these efforts, demand continues to outpace supply, and many consumers knowingly opt for the more affordable fakes, prioritizing aesthetics over authenticity. “Most kids just want the doll,” said one parent outside a toy shop in Shanghai. “They don’t care if it’s official or not.”
The original Labubu series features a wide variety of designs and rarities. While most retail around $30, exclusive or limited editions can fetch hundreds—or even thousands—on resale markets. Pop Mart’s success with the Labubu line has been so profound that founder Wang Ning was recently listed among China’s youngest billionaires.
But the rise of Lafufus signals a broader challenge for collectible-focused brands. As social media and celebrity influence drive up demand, counterfeiters are becoming faster, smarter, and harder to trace—posing risks not just to intellectual property holders, but also to consumer trust.
For now, Labubu fans remain divided—between those willing to pay a premium for the real thing and those happy with a cheaper lookalike—leaving Pop Mart to fight an uphill battle to preserve the authenticity of its most beloved character.
