Edimar Rocha Martins, a 49-year-old Brazilian construction worker, experienced severe heartbreak after he decided that a Brazilian man travels 1,200 miles for online girlfriend only to discover she was AI.
Struggling with grief following his mother’s death, Martins encountered a viral TikTok profile belonging to a character named Jéssica Oliveira in 2020.
Believing the digital persona was a real woman offering farm accommodation and financial security, he formed a deep emotional bond over several years.
On October 9, 2026, Martins sold all his household possessions in Imperatriz, Maranhão, to finance a long-distance bus journey.
He traveled over 1,200 miles across Brazil to Belo Horizonte, expecting to begin a new life with his online partner.
Local Radio Station Exposes Fake Social Media Persona
Upon arriving in Belo Horizonte on October 11, Martins walked through the city showing printed photographs of the woman to local residents.
Eventually, he approached a local radio station for assistance, where broadcasters broke the painful truth to him.
“I went to the radio station there, and they said no, that’s fake news, that woman doesn’t exist,” Martins recalled.
Stranded without money, he sought shelter through Belo Horizonte City Hall, where municipal social workers provided emergency assistance and return transport.
The TikTok account, which commanded over 300,000 followers, featured AI-generated videos created solely to generate social media engagement.
Account Operator Denies Direct Messaging or Travel Invites
Following widespread public reaction, the individual operating the TikTok account publicly admitted that the character was created using artificial intelligence tools.
Furthermore, the account operator denied ever messaging Martins directly or inviting him to travel to Minas Gerais.
“I never spoke directly to anyone, much less took anyone to Belo Horizonte,” the account manager stated in a clarification video.
Despite losing his life savings and belongings, Martins expressed hope about eventually overcoming loneliness and finding real companionship.
Finally, consumer protection advocates have warned internet users to remain cautious regarding synthetic digital profiles and online romance scams.
