The video was shared on TikTok
A startling incident of shoplifting at a Walmart store has gone viral on TikTok, shedding light on the growing issue of retail theft. A user named Nesha filmed herself attempting to steal a backpack at a self-checkout, but was caught by the store’s AI-powered surveillance system.
The video, which has garnered over 2.2 million views, shows Nesha scanning a few items before trying to sneak the backpack into her shopping bag without scanning it. However, the system detects the missed scan and alerts an employee, who arrives and scans Nesha’s card. The display then shows a “Missed Scan Detected” message, along with footage of Nesha dragging the backpack over the scanner without scanning the barcode.
Nesha captioned the video, “POV: When you usually don’t get caught and now you’re banned for 2 years from all Walmarts in my area.” She notes that the employee laughed but still called management and had her escorted outside.
The incident highlights a troubling trend in retail theft, with a recent LendingTree survey revealing that 15% of shoppers admitted to stealing items at self-checkouts, and only 33% of those caught. Walmart has reportedly lost an estimated $3 billion annually due to shoplifting and has introduced several anti-theft measures, including AI technology and nearly invisible barcodes for store-branded items.
Despite these efforts, some Walmart locations have seen elevated levels of theft, leading to the discontinuation of self-checkout areas in certain stores. However, the company maintains that these changes aim to enhance the overall shopping experience.