Labubu vs. ‘Lafufu’: How to Spot the Differences Between Real and Fake

If you have tried to get your hands on a Pop Mart Labubu recently, you know the struggle. Since Blackpink’s Lisa posted a photo with the mischievous, nine-toothed monster on her bag in Spring 2024, the blind box toy has graduated from "niche collectible" to global luxury accessory.

But with sold-out drops and resale prices soaring 400%, a new monster has entered the market: the "Lafufu."

This is the affectionate (and sometimes derogatory) nickname collectors have given to counterfeit Labubus flooding TikTok and resale sites. While some "Lafufus" are obvious knockoffs, others are frighteningly convincing "superfakes."

Whether you are a seasoned collector or just want to avoid getting scammed on a $50 keychain, you need to know exactly what you are looking at. Here is the definitive guide to spotting the difference between a genuine Labubu and a fake Lafufu.

1. The Box Check: Matte vs. Glossy

The authentication process starts before you even open the box. Counterfeiters often use high-quality scanners to replicate the packaging, but they almost always fail on the finish.

• The Real Deal: Genuine Pop Mart boxes have a premium matte finish. The colors are muted and pastel (specifically the "Have a Seat" series). The red logo background is a bright, "Coca-Cola" red.
• The Lafufu: Fakes usually have a glossy, reflective sheen. The cardboard feels thinner/cheaper, and the colors are often oversaturated—look for a red that is too dark (almost maroon) or a yellow that looks like highlighter ink.
• The "Trash Can" Detail: Look at the recycling symbol on the bottom of the box. On a real box, the arrow corners are rounded. On many fakes, the arrow corners are sharp squares.

2. The QR Code: The Only 100% Guarantee

Pop Mart knows counterfeiting is an issue, which is why they introduced a sophisticated digital verification system.

How to Test It:

1. Find the silver holographic sticker on the box (or the tag attached to the plush).
2. Scrape off the coating to reveal the 4-digit security code.
3. Scan the QR code with your phone.

The Result:

• Real: You will be taken to the official domain fwsy.popmart.com (or popmart.com/verify). The screen will clearly state "Authentic" and, crucially, "First-time inquiry."
• Fake: The QR code will either be broken, lead to a shady third-party URL (look for typos like popmqrt.com), or it will take you to a static image that says "Verified" but isn't actually an active webpage.

Warning: If you scan the code and it says "This code has been queried 52 times," you have a fake. Pop Mart codes are unique one-time use identifiers.

3. Physical Inspection: Teeth, Fur, and Feet

Once the figure is out of the box, the physical differences become easier to spot if you know where to look.

The Teeth (The "9-Tooth Rule")

Kasing Lung, the creator of Labubu, designed the character with a very specific grin.

• Real: Always has exactly 9 teeth. The teeth are individually painted with clear separation from the blue gum line.
• Fake: Often has 8 or 10 teeth. Worse, the paint job is usually sloppy, with the white of the teeth bleeding into the blue gums, or the teeth appearing "connected" rather than individual spikes.

The Fur Quality

• Real: The fur is dense, soft, and "messy" in a deliberate way. The stitching is seamless, especially around the faceplate.
• Fake: The fur feels synthetic and coarse, similar to a carnival prize toy. You will often see bald spots or visible glue residue where the fur meets the vinyl face.

The Feet Stamps

Flip the doll over and check the soles of the feet.

• Left Foot: Should have the POP MART logo embossed deeply and clearly.
• Right Foot (The UV Test): This is the pro collector's secret weapon. On newer series (like "Have a Seat"), shining a UV blacklight on the right foot will reveal a hidden watermark.
  • Real: A crisp, glowing silhouette of Labubu appears (sitting or standing depending on the model).
  • Fake: No reaction, or a blurry, shapeless blob.

4. The Face Tone

This is subtle but obvious once you see it. Authentic Labubu vinyl faces have a pale, peachy skin tone with a soft, airbrushed blush.

"Lafufus" often have a yellowish or orangey tint to the plastic, making the character look like it has a spray tan. The blush is often painted on as harsh pink circles rather than a soft gradient.

Expert Perspective: The Rise of the "Lafufu" Economy

The Bottom Line: While "Lafufus" are technically counterfeits, the market for them is strangely thriving. Why? Because the scarcity of real Labubus has created a vacuum.

We are seeing a shift where some collectors are knowingly buying high-quality fakes simply because they cannot justify paying $80 for a $15 blind box. However, from an investment standpoint, Lafufus are worthless.

The danger isn't buying a fake for $10 on purpose; it's paying $60 for a fake on a resale site thinking it's real. Counterfeiters are now "box swapping"—putting a fake doll inside a real, carefully opened box to pass the exterior checks.

My advice: If you are buying resale, always ask for a UV light video of the foot stamp before payment. It is the one detail counterfeiters still haven't managed to replicate perfectly.

Summary Checklist

Before you buy, run this 5-second audit:

1. Box: Is it matte or glossy? (Matte = Good).
2. QR: Does the URL end in popmart.com?
3. Face: Is the skin pale peach or orange?
4. Feet: Does the right foot glow under UV light?

The Labubu trend isn't slowing down, and neither are the scammers. Protect your wallet and your collection by sticking to authorized retailers like the official Pop Mart Store or verified resellers.