The Case of Labubu and the College Hustle

It’s not every day that you hear about a police sting involving plush dolls—but this week in North Carolina, the Labubu found itself at the center of an $860,000 counterfeit crackdown.

According to WRAL, state officials seized more than 500 fake Labubu figures, along with piles of bogus Gucci bags, Louis Vuitton belts, and knockoff Rolex watches. The bust took place not in some back-alley, but around college campuses and community events, including homecomings at North Carolina A&T, Winston-Salem State, and North Carolina Central.

Let’s pause on that for a second.

A college campus is supposed to be a training ground for future professionals, innovators, and leaders—yet here are vendors hawking fake luxury goods and bootleg Labubus between tailgates.

It’s poetic in a slightly depressing way.

The same generation obsessed with authenticity, “drops,” and verified creators is also drawn to the bargain thrill of a good fake.

For those unaware, Labubu is a toothy little gremlin-esque toy. It’s weird, collectible, and—like a lot of modern pop stuff —absurdly expensive for what it is. So of course, the moment something becomes scarce and stylish, the bootleggers pounce.

NC's Secretary of State reminded the public that counterfeit profits often feed organized crime and labor exploitation. When fake culture infiltrates institutions—especially universities—it blurs the line between hustle and hypocrisy. Maybe that’s the ultimate modern college lesson: you can’t major in authenticity.

So here’s to the real Labubus, the real brands, and the real builders of tomorrow. In a world full of fakes, being genuine is still the boldest look.

-TBob