Fakes Flood Canal Street as Labubu Craze Sparks Shopping Frenzy

The infamous Chinatown market has become overwhelmed with counterfeit versions of the viral Labubu dolls, often called “Lafufus.” These tiny, creepy monster figurines, originally created by Hong Kong designer Kasing Lung, shot to fame after celebrities like Blackpink’s Lisa, Rihanna, and Dua Lipa flaunted them publicly. Despite their link to POP Mart’s $30 retail price, knockoff versions are now available for as little as $10, prominently displayed at many tourist shops.

Many buyers, including families like Griselda Flores’, have purchased these cheap fakes, mistaking them for genuine collectibles. Flores paid $20 for a replica to give to her 4-year-old son, who couldn’t tell the difference. She later secured two authentic Labubus through an online auction for $76. Original Labubus are usually sold in mystery “blind boxes” for around $27.99, with rare editions driving online demand and resale prices to skyrocket, sometimes reaching $5,000.

Counterfeit Labubus often lack the authenticity features, such as the QR-coded “care card” that verifies genuine toys. A real Labubu comes with a QR code that can be scanned to confirm its legitimacy. One fake, for example, had ten teeth instead of the usual nine — a clear sign of a counterfeit, as noted by collector Xander Goodman. Retailers on Canal Street claim their stock is imported directly from China and deny selling fake versions, although many of their toys lack authentic verification.

Many bargain-buyers are satisfied with the cheaper, flawed versions, even if they don’t feature the proper authenticity cards. A store clerk explained that these toys are sourced from the same supplier, with some claiming to import directly from China, all insisting they are genuine — despite the visible flaws. Some young collectors, like 7-year-old Nolan Petras, can distinguish real from fake based on simple features like the number of teeth, appreciating the value of authenticity.