Fake Labubus valued at over $500,000 seized by Customs and Border Patrol Julia Gomez, USA TODAY September 3, 2025 at 10:18 PM 3 The Seattle Customs and Border Patrol seized over half a million dollars worth of fake Labubus, weeks after federal safety regulators warned the public not to buy the count...
- - Fake Labubus valued at over $500,000 seized by Customs and Border Patrol
Julia Gomez, USA TODAY September 3, 2025 at 10:18 PM
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The Seattle Customs and Border Patrol seized over half a million dollars worth of fake Labubus, weeks after federal safety regulators warned the public not to buy the counterfeit versions of the toy.
Labubus, the popular toy sold by the Chinese retailer Pop Mart which has taken social media by storm, feels nearly impossible to get, but that popularity and scarcity have opened the door for counterfeiters to fill in the void.
Nationwide, fake Labubus, also known as Lafufus online are being sold and CBP in Seattle seized 11,134 Lafufus valued at $513,937.76, Brian Humphre, the director of field operations for the CBP Seattle Field Office, said in an Aug. 29 post on X.
"Excellent work by our diligent and meticulous CBP (officers)!" Humphre wrote.
LabuWHO? @cbp officers in Seattle, WA seized 11,134 counterfeit LABUBU dolls valued at $513,937.76. Excellent work by our diligent and meticulous CBPOs! P.S. we're still on the lookout for the one and only 24K GOLD Labubu. #OFOProud #CBP #NationalSecurity #BorderSecurity pic.twitter.com/guQE2nW9f8
— DFO Brian Humphrey (@DFOSeattle) August 29, 2025
Grand Theft Labubu? Police recover $30,000 worth of the stolen toys
Labubu popularity prompts thefts
The popularity of Labubus has made it a hot commodity, sometimes leading to thefts.
Last month in California, two notable incidents happened. The first, where police investigated a warehouse robbery in Chino, recovering thousands of dollars worth of Labubus. And in a separate incident in La Puente, burglars were caught on video wiping out a store's entire Labubu collection.
What is a Labubu?
Labubu is a doll that resembles a monster, featuring a large head, sharp teeth and prominent eyes. The Labubu keychains everyone is obsessed with are furry and come in different colors, shapes and sizes.
Many of the most popular Labubus are sold in blind boxes, which hide the exact content of the package until the customer opens it, sometimes revealing an especially rare item in a series.
Pop Mart has sold small Labubus, some shaped like shrimp tempura, carrying Coke products, dressed as pumpkins and more.
Some people might say the doll looks a bit scary, while others think it's downright adorable.
The doll was designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung roughly a decade ago. But today, Labubus are sold worldwide by the Beijing-based toy maker Pop Mart, as part of their "The Monsters" line.
A Labubu doll purchased at Dolphin Mall in Miami, believed to be a counterfeit Labubu.Labubu vs. Lafufu: Be wary of knockoffs
Labubu dolls have become so popular that they've attracted the attention of resellers.
To ensure you are purchasing authentic Labubu or "The Monsters" merchandise, purchase the dolls directly from Pop Mart, its TikTok account, Amazon store or other major retailers.
Counterfeits have become so widespread that the Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned the public to be cautious of lookalike Labubu dolls "that break apart easily, releasing small pieces that can become choking hazards."
The following can be signs of a fake Labubu, commonly referred to as "Lafufus," according to the Consumer Safety Alert:
Labubus sold online at a steep discount.
Packaging does not have a holographic Pop Mart sticker or a scannable QR code linking to the official Pop Mart site.
A preview card is not included with your Labubu.
The Labubu has the wrong number of teeth. Authentic Labubus have nine teeth.
Newer versions of the doll do not have a "subtle UV stamp on one foot."
Safety labeling may not be included on the packaging if a toy has small parts.
Another indication that a doll might be a Lafufu, according to USA TODAY's research, is that it comes in a resealable plastic bag instead of one that needs to be torn open. Customers will also not be able to choose the color Labubu they receive unless purchasing from a reseller that has already opened the Labubu's packaging.
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers all things Labubu and Pop Mart. Connect with her on LinkedIn,X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fake Labubus seized by Seattle Customs and Border Patrol
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