What Does Fake Labubu Look Like: Spotting a "Lafufu" in 2026

If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or wandering through art toy conventions lately, you know the obsession is real. Labubu, the mischievous, serrated-toothed monster from Kasing Lung’s "The Monsters" universe, has basically taken over the world. But with that fame comes the inevitable: the "Lafufus."

I’ve seen some fakes that are so bad they’re almost charming—like a Labubu that had a mid-life crisis and lost half its fur. But others? They’re getting scary good. If you're dropping $100+ on a "Have a Seat" or "Macaron" series vinyl plush on the secondary market, you don't want to get stuck with a cheap knockoff.

The Teeth Don't Lie: The Nine-Tooth Rule

Basically, the easiest way to tell if you’re looking at a fake is to start counting. Every authentic Labubu has exactly nine teeth. Not eight. Not ten. Nine.

But here’s the thing—the counterfeiters figured this out a while ago. Nowadays, a lot of fakes also have nine teeth, so you have to look at the "gum line." On a real Pop Mart figure, those teeth grow directly out of the blue mouth line with zero gaps. It looks like a clean, seamless mold.

Fakes often have a tiny, awkward gap between the blue line and where the white tooth paint starts. Or worse, the teeth look like one solid white block with some blue lines drawn over them. It’s sloppy. Real Labubus have teeth that vary slightly in size and shape; they aren't perfect little Chiclets.

The "Black Light" Secret

If you want to feel like a forensic investigator, grab a UV flashlight (specifically 365nm). This is honestly the "gold standard" check for 2026.

• The Nose Glow: On an authentic Labubu, the nose paint is special. Under a black light, it will glow a bright, fluorescent orange. Most fakes use standard matte paint that stays dull or just reflects the purple light of the torch.
• The Foot Stamp: For the newer series like V2 Have a Seat or V3 Big Into Energy, there is a hidden silhouette or logo on the right foot that only shows up under UV light.
• The "Super Fake" Warning: Some high-end fakes have started adding UV-reactive paint to the nose. However, they usually can't get the foot silhouette right—it’s either visible under normal light (a huge red flag) or missing entirely.

That "New Toy" Smell (Or Lack Thereof)

Trust your nose. Seriously.

Genuine Pop Mart toys have a very specific, slightly sweet, "creamy" or candy-like scent. It’s subtle, but it’s there because of the high-quality vinyl they use.

Fakes? They usually smell like a tire fire or a cheap shower curtain. If you open that box and get hit with a pungent, industrial chemical odor, you’ve probably got a "Lafufu." That’s the smell of cheap PVC and unregulated dyes.

Packaging and the "QR Trap"

The box is usually where scammers trip up first. A real Labubu box has a matte, premium finish. The colors are slightly muted, almost pastel. Fake boxes are often way too glossy and the colors look "fried"—too much contrast, too much saturation.

Check the trash can icon on the back of the box. On the real deal, the arrows on the "Keep Your Country Tidy" logo have rounded corners. On fakes, those arrows are often sharp and pointy. It’s a tiny detail, but it’s a classic "tell."

👉 See also: Finding Good Colleges for Me: The Truth About the Ranking Game

The QR Code Scam

Counterfeiters have gotten bold. They now print QR codes that actually scan! But here is the trick: they lead to a fake website.

When you scan the code on the holographic sticker or the fabric tag, look at the URL.

• Real: fwsy.popmart.com or m-gss.popmart.com.
• Fake: Anything else. I've seen popomart.shop, popmart-verify.xyz, or official-check.top.

If the site looks like Pop Mart but the address is weird, close the tab. You're being phished.

The "Touch" Test: Fur and Feet

Authentic Labubu plushies feel like a high-end cloud. The fur is soft, fluffy, and the stitching is hidden deep in the pile.

If you run your hand over a fake, the fur often feels "crunchy" or coarse, like a cheap carnival prize. Look at the seams—if you can see white threads peeking through the "skin" or if the fur is falling out in clumps, it's a dud.

Also, check the ears. Real Labubu ears (especially V1) have a "Figure-8" silhouette where they angle slightly outward. Fakes tend to have ears that stand straight up like a panicked rabbit, or they're spaced too far apart, making the head look like a lumpy potato.

Actionable Steps for Buyers

Don't let the "Lafufu" hunters get you. If you're buying from a reseller, follow this checklist before you hand over any cash:

1. Request a Video of the Feet: Ask the seller to show the foot under a UV light. If they "don't have one," be suspicious.
2. Verify the First-Time Scan: When you scan a real Pop Mart QR code, the result page should say "First time verified." If it says it's been scanned 50 times already, the code has been copied and printed onto a thousand fake boxes.
3. Check the ID Card: Every blind box comes with a character card. Real cards are thick and have crisp, vibrant printing. If the card feels like a thin piece of construction paper or the colors look washed out, the toy inside is likely fake too.
4. Compare the Pose: Some fakes actually put the wrong Labubu in the wrong box. Double-check that the "identity card" matches the physical toy’s outfit and pose perfectly.

Stick to reputable platforms that offer buyer protection. If the price for a rare "Fall in Wild" Labubu seems too good to be true, it's because it is.