What are Lafufu dolls? Counterfeit Labubus flood markets as originals reportedly turning 'unaffordable'

Lafufu dolls, which are a counterfeit version of the original now-viral Labubu dolls, have taken over the market, making it extremely difficult for fans to distinguish between the two. According to Dexerto, the Lafufu dolls are now also being sold at a quarter of the price of the original Labubu doll, leading to disarray among those who are interested in buying them.

Labubu dolls were first introduced in 2015, and later in 2019, the fierce-looking, yet adorable dolls grew in popularity. By 2024, they had become an internet sensation, with celebrities like Rihanna and Cher being spotted with them. The Labubu dolls, which are designed by renowned artist Kasing Lung, quickly became an internet sensation and have now led to the emergence of counterfeit products that closely resemble the original dolls, as the price of the original dolls continues to rise.

More about the Lafufu dolls that are spreading across the market, as demand for original Labubu dolls increases

According to Dexerto, Lafufu dolls are being sold at low prices of $10, prompting many people to buy the counterfeit product instead of the original, which is priced at around $30. According to Women's World Daily, Lafufu dolls have a distinct bright color, unlike the original Labubu dolls sold on the official Pop Mart site, the Chinese company responsible for selling these prized dolls.

According to the outlet, the dolls are always sold in "blind boxes," meaning a customer will not know which model they are purchasing until they open the packaging. One way to distinguish between the original and the fake is by counting the number of teeth on your doll. An original Labubu doll will have a set of nine teeth, or you can even scan the packaging to confirm whether the product you have purchased is a Labubu or a Lafufu doll.

But it is not just about the novelty of the original Labubu dolls, as Lafufu dolls have been reported to be allegedly unsafe by many. According to Indy 100, earlier this month, the Rochdale Borough Council, in the UK, issued a warning against buying the fake Labubu dolls, citing concerns that they may not have been safely made for children, adding that they have seized many of such potentially harmful dolls.

The statement read:

"Toy Safety Alert. Parents, please be vigilant when purchasing the popular Labubu dolls, which have recently gone viral."

It further added:

“Our trading standards team has recently found counterfeit versions being sold across the borough without proper safety labels - a clear sign they haven’t been through the required safety checks. While these fake toys might be cheaper, they can pose serious risks to children, including choking hazards and exposure to toxic chemicals.”

According to the BBC, the recent popularity of the Labubu dolls has led to a significant growth for Pop Mart, and led to an increase in the company's profits by 350 percent.

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