Fri May 30 04:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Labubu Craze Turns Chaotic: Fights and Fake Figures Plague Pop Mart
**The irresistibly “ugly-cute” Labubu figurines, the latest must-have plush collectibles from Pop Mart, have become a global phenomenon, drawing the attention of celebrities and sparking a frenzy among toy collectors. However, the immense popularity of Kasing Lung’s Nordic folklore-inspired creations has attracted a dark side: aggressive resellers and a booming counterfeit market, turning the joyful collecting experience into a stressful and, at times, dangerous ordeal.**
Reports of brawls breaking out at Pop Mart locations around the world have surfaced, forcing the company to take action. In the UK, all 16 stores have temporarily suspended sales of the Labubu bag charms after videos of physical altercations between customers and resellers went viral. Pop Mart explained to the BBC that this pause is intended to “prevent any potential safety issues” as they assess how to navigate the situation.
The problem isn’t confined to brick-and-mortar stores. Online, resellers are using bots to snatch up limited-edition figures, making it virtually impossible for genuine collectors to purchase them through Pop Mart’s website and app. “It’s a horrible digital experience,” one frustrated collector said, recounting constant crashes and access limitations while trying to compete with bots.
In the U.S., in-person events have also become battlegrounds, with tense encounters and scuffles breaking out during recent releases. One Pop Mart employee in Los Angeles described people “getting into fights in line,” leading to concerns for employee safety. As a temporary measure, their Labubu inventory will be available online for pickup only, a move that still leaves customers battling resellers in the digital realm.
Adding to the chaos, a thriving fake Labubu market, dubbed “Lafufus,” has emerged, further complicating the collecting process. These counterfeit figures, often sold at inflated prices, are becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from the real thing.
Pop Mart acknowledges the challenges and is working to improve the shopping experience. Speaking to the BBC, the company announced that “Labubu will return to physical stores in June, and we are currently working on a new release mechanism that is better structured and more equitable for everyone involved.” The company hopes to restore the fun and delight that initially attracted collectors to the Labubu phenomenon.
First Piper 