A 49-year-old Brazilian bricklayer sold his belongings and traveled more than 2,000 kilometers to meet his online girlfriend, only to discover she was an AI-generated character. Edimar Rocha Martins left his home in Imperatriz, Maranhão state, on October 9, 2026, and arrived in Belo Horizonte on October 11, expecting to meet a woman named Jéssica Oliveira, who had promised him a new life on her farm. Instead, he learned that Jéssica was a fictional persona created using artificial intelligence, with videos and photos that did not correspond to a real person.
A Journey of Hope and Disappointment
Martins had been following a social media account featuring a woman called Jéssica Oliveira, also known as Jéssica Fazendeira. In her videos, she presented herself as a widow who owned a farm in Minas Gerais and wanted a man to share her life with. Jéssica's message was appealing. She spoke about finding a partner and offered the prospect of a comfortable life on the farm. In one video, she promised to support the man who came to live with her. “I want you to come to my farm and never work again in your life,” she said in a CNN Brasil-reported video.
For someone hoping to leave his troubles behind, it was an attractive offer. Martins had been lonely since his mother's death, and he no longer wanted to remain in Imperatriz. Speaking to Rádio Itatiaia, he explained why he had decided to leave. “I don't want to stay in Imperatriz anymore. I don't like it there. I liked it when my mother was alive. My whole family knows this,” he said. He added, “Sometimes, loneliness at home causes a lot of problems in a person's life. That's why I came looking for her.”
The Costly Journey and the Shocking Truth
Martins sold his belongings to fund the trip, which covered approximately 2,100 kilometers and took more than 36 hours by bus. He arrived in Belo Horizonte on October 11 and began searching for Jéssica, showing her photographs to locals, but no one recognized her. He eventually approached a local radio station and asked a reporter to pass on a message that he had arrived. Through the reporter, he learned that the woman he had traveled so far to meet was an AI-generated character.
Martins had spent his money and left his home behind for a meeting that could never happen. Jéssica's account had attracted more than 300,000 followers on TikTok. The videos showed her talking about farm life and looking for a partner. The profile also promoted products, including clothing and supplements. After Martins's story attracted attention, the person behind the account published a video acknowledging that Jéssica was generated by artificial intelligence. The creator said the account had been set up to attract engagement and promote sales. They also denied ever having private conversations with Martins or inviting him to Belo Horizonte. “I have never spoken to anyone with this profile,” the creator said in a statement reported by UOL. Martins, however, said he had communicated with the account through Facebook and Kwai. He believed the responses he received meant Jéssica wanted him to join her on the farm.
Third Similar Case in Belo Horizonte
Martins's case is not isolated. In June 2026, Walter da Silva, a 72-year-old man, traveled from Roraima to Belo Horizonte after believing a woman he saw on TikTok wanted him as a partner and had work for him on her farm. In August, 71-year-old Alberto da Costa traveled from Manaus to Belo Horizonte, reportedly spending nearly R$3,000 on the journey. He also expected to meet a woman featured in similar online videos, only to discover she wasn't a real romantic partner. According to Brazilian broadcaster Rádio Itatiaia, Martins's experience was the third similar case reported in Belo Horizonte in less than six months.
Aftermath and Return Home
After discovering the truth, Martins faced another problem: he had little money left and needed to get out of Belo Horizonte. He sought assistance from the city's migrant support service, which provided food, access to a shower and a bus ticket. On October 13, he left the city intending to travel to Araguatins, in Tocantins state, where he was born. The journey did not go as planned. Martins became unwell while traveling through Tocantins and received medical attention. He eventually decided to return to Imperatriz. According to Rádio Itatiaia, he arrived home on October 15 after spending more than 50 hours traveling by bus. He was staying with his sister. Despite everything that had happened, Martins said he hoped to visit Belo Horizonte again in 2027. He wanted to see the people who had helped him during his ordeal, rather than search for Jéssica.
His return home did not undo the money he had spent or the disappointment of discovering that the woman he trusted was not real. AI tools can now create convincing images and videos of people who do not exist. Some creators use fictional characters as virtual influencers to entertain audiences or advertise products. Jéssica's account presented a woman who appeared to speak about her life, her farm and the kind of partner she wanted. Her promises offered viewers the possibility of love, financial support and a fresh start. But a video that looks personal may be designed for a much larger audience. And a response on social media does not necessarily mean a real person is developing a relationship with the person receiving it.
