Lupita Nyong'o -- Back to the Hotel ... for Missing Gown (TMZ TV)

The heist of Lupita Nyong'o's Oscar dress went oh so wrong'o for the thief ... he decided to return the stolen goods -- but not before calling our newsroom with an explanation. Turns out it's hard to get rich fencing a pearl gown made of fake pearls!

And you thought it was just the boobs, butts, faces, and people that were phony in Hollywood.