The story of the woman who pretended to be pregnant in order to steal from a store in Saltillo, Coahuila, is one of those bizarre cases that blurs the line between crime and creativity. On what seemed like a normal day at a Coppel store, shoppers and employees went about their business without noticing anything unusual.
Then, in walked a woman dressed in a loose-fitting dress, her stomach appearing heavily swollen as if she were months away from giving birth. At first glance, she seemed like any other customer, but her actions quickly drew suspicion. Security staff began paying closer attention, and what they uncovered shocked everyone who witnessed it. When stopped, the woman protested, pleading with security not to touch her, maintaining the illusion of being a vulnerable, expectant mother. But the truth was far stranger: her supposed baby bump was nothing more than layers of stolen merchandise.
Hidden beneath oversized underwear designed to hold its shape were at least ten pairs of jeans and multiple T-shirts. What looked like a pregnancy was really an elaborate disguise for theft. The ingenuity of the scheme sparked outrage, laughter, and a storm of memes across social media. Videos of the incident spread like wildfire on TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), with thousands weighing in on the audacity of the ruse. Some criticized the lack of security at large department stores, pointing out how easily she might have walked away with the goods. Others, however, couldn’t help but marvel at the creativity, calling it equal parts ridiculous and clever.
The practice itself is not unheard of in Mexico and even has a name—“farderismo.” Women who engage in this style of theft, using false bellies, skirts, or other hidden clothing compartments, are referred to as “farderas.” The Saltillo case went viral precisely because of how convincing the disguise was and the sheer boldness of the execution. Who would imagine that such a realistic-looking belly was actually stuffed with denim and cotton? Beyond the humor and memes, the episode raised questions about retail security and the methods criminals use to outwit surveillance systems.
Some commentators noted that only an experienced security team could have noticed the signs before the thief exited with her stash. Others reflected on how easily she might have escaped had she timed it differently or chosen a less vigilant store. What made the story even more fascinating was the public reaction. Comments ranged from playful jokes like “best invention of the year” to pointed criticism such as “inventive, but still a terrible idea.” Many saw the humor in the absurdity, but others highlighted the seriousness of shoplifting and the potential impact on businesses.
The woman’s fate remains unclear, as reports didn’t confirm whether she was officially arrested or simply expelled from the premises. Regardless, her performance-turned-failure turned her into a fleeting social media celebrity. In the span of hours, she went from would-be thief to viral sensation, remembered more for the strangeness of her method than the crime itself. Beyond the viral buzz, the situation invites a deeper reflection on deception, creativity, and the lengths people will go to in order to bend the truth. It is a stark reminder that appearances can be deceiving and that the most convincing disguises often mask the most ordinary intentions.
In this case, the innocent image of a pregnant woman transformed into the centerpiece of a failed robbery, proving once again that not everything is as it seems. What began as a bold attempt at theft ended in embarrassment, exposure, and a wave of internet fame that no one could have anticipated. This story, though absurd, highlights both the ingenuity and the foolishness of trying to outsmart the system with such a fragile disguise. In the end, the fake belly that was meant to conceal her crime became the unforgettable symbol of her downfall, leaving behind a tale as entertaining as it was unusual.