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How to spot a fake Labubu and a fake Sonny Angel
Fakes are everywhere, and some of them look convincing. Here is what to check before you pay.
Spotting a fake Labubu
1. Buy from the right place
Buy from Pop Mart official stores, the Pop Mart app, or authorized retailers. Marketplace listings from brand new sellers with no history are the most common source of fakes.
2. Scan the QR code on the tag
Real Labubu pendants have a QR code on the fabric tag that links to Pop Mart verification. If the code is missing, blurry, or leads nowhere, treat the figure as fake.
3. Check the box and printing
Real boxes have crisp printing, correct spelling, and the Pop Mart logo. Fakes often have dull colors, blurry text, or spelling mistakes on the box.
4. Look at the face
A real Labubu has a clean vinyl face, nine teeth, and neat paint. Fakes often have messy paint lines, uneven teeth, or a strong plastic smell.
5. Feel the fur and the clasp
Real pendants have soft, dense fur and a sturdy metal clasp. Thin fur, a flimsy clasp, or a tag that feels cheap are warning signs.
Spotting a fake Sonny Angel
1. Buy from official stockists
Buy from Dreams official stores or authorized retailers. Sonny Angel sells through a short list of official stockists, and most fakes come from random marketplace sellers.
2. Check the box
Real boxes have clean printing, the Dreams logo, and a series name that matches the figure inside. Fakes often have washed out colors, typos, or a box from a different series.
3. Look at the paint and seams
Real Sonny Angels have smooth paint, neat wings, and consistent colors. Fakes often have sloppy paint, rough seams, or the wrong shade for the series.
4. Compare with the official lineup
Every series has a fixed roster. If the figure is not on the official list for its series, it is not real. You can check every series roster in the Cutie Index database.
What to do if you bought a fake
- Contact the seller and the marketplace for a refund. Most platforms cover counterfeit items.
- Report the listing so other collectors do not buy the same fake.
- Do not resell it as real. Passing a fake along hurts the next collector too.