Man Sold Everything He Owned to Meet His Dream Woman 2,000km Away — Then Discovered She Was AI-Generated

A 49-year-old Brazilian bricklayer said he sold everything he owned and travelled more than 2,000km to meet his dream woman, only to discover she was an AI-generated character with more than 300,000 social media followers.

Edimar Rocha Martins arrived in Belo Horizonte on 11 October 2026, hoping to begin a new life with someone he believed was real.

Martins had travelled from Imperatriz, in Brazil's Maranhão state, to meet Jéssica Oliveira, an online personality known as Jéssica Fazendeira. Her videos portrayed a woman who owned a farm, wanted a romantic partner and offered financial security.

Instead, Martins found himself stranded in an unfamiliar city with little money.

According to Rádio Itatiaia, his experience was the third similar incident reported in Belo Horizonte in less than six months.

He Sold Everything After Believing He Had Found Love

According to Brazilian news outlet Imirante, Martins told broadcaster TV Mirante that he had interacted with the Jéssica Fazendeira profile since 2020.

Believing the woman was real, he said he sold all his possessions to finance the journey across Brazil.

However, the account's creator reportedly said the character was created in 2025. The conflicting dates remain unexplained, and it is unclear which account Martins encountered in 2020 or when their interactions began.

Martins said loneliness had influenced his decision. Following his mother's death, he felt increasingly disconnected from Imperatriz and wanted to rebuild his life elsewhere.

Jéssica's videos appeared to offer that opportunity.

They presented her as a rural landowner seeking someone willing to live on her farm. Some posts promised financial support and suggested that a future partner would no longer need to work.

Martins believed the offers were genuine.

Three Men Travelled to Belo Horizonte in Six Months

Martins was reportedly not the first man to travel to Belo Horizonte after encountering similar romantic promises online.

According to Rádio Itatiaia, an elderly man travelled from Roraima in June 2026 under similar circumstances. Another older man reportedly arrived from Manaus in August.

The broadcaster said such content commonly featured attractive women claiming to own farms and seeking romantic partners or workers.

However, the reporting does not establish whether the three men encountered the same AI character, different fictional personalities or unrelated accounts.

AI Woman's Account Was Created to Attract Followers and Sell Products

Jéssica's online presence was intended to attract attention and generate sales, according to the person behind the account.

The profile published AI-generated videos portraying her as a farm owner searching for companionship. Some posts also promoted products through online shopping platforms.

Following widespread coverage of Martins' experience, the unidentified creator acknowledged that Jéssica was fictional. In comments reported by Imirante, the operator said the character was created in 2025 to attract viewers and promote products through affiliate marketing.

The creator denied exchanging private messages with Martins or inviting him to travel.

Martins maintained that he had interacted with the profile. Rádio Itatiaia also reported that the account sent automated responses to users who engaged with its posts.

Police Found No Formal Complaint Over the Incident

The conflicting accounts leave questions about what communication occurred. There is no confirmed evidence that the creator deliberately targeted Martins or obtained money from him through fraud.

According to Imirante, Minas Gerais Civil Police said on 15 October that checks of its records had found no formal complaint concerning the incident.

Police explained that creating an AI character was not itself a crime. However, using such technology to deceive people for unlawful gain could constitute an offence, depending on the circumstances.

On 15 October, Imirante reported that Jéssica Fazendeira's profile had disappeared from social media. The reason remained unclear.

Stranded Far From Home, He Needed Help Returning

With much of his money gone, Martins struggled to leave Belo Horizonte. He had spent his remaining funds on accommodation and could not afford another long-distance journey.

Belo Horizonte's municipal migrant support service subsequently helped him obtain a bus ticket to Tocantins. Imirante also reported that he received food and other assistance during his stay.

Martins initially travelled towards Tocantins rather than returning to Imperatriz.

However, he became unwell and required medical attention. He eventually returned to Imperatriz on 15 October, after a journey lasting more than 50 hours.

His feelings about the experience appeared mixed. Imirante reported that he did not regret travelling and still hoped to find another partner.

However, in a later interview with Rádio Itatiaia, he expressed regret. He also said he hoped to revisit Belo Horizonte in 2027 to celebrate his 50th birthday with friends he had made there.

Could AI-Generated Romance Mislead More People?

Martins' experience illustrates how fictional online personalities can influence real-world decisions, particularly when their content promises companionship and financial security.

AI-generated faces, voices and videos can make imaginary characters appear convincing. Large follower counts may also give users an impression of credibility, even when the person portrayed does not exist.

Nevertheless, the circumstances surrounding the three reported incidents remain unclear. There is no confirmed evidence that they were connected or formed part of a coordinated fraud scheme.

For Martins, the consequences were substantial. He said he sold his possessions, crossed more than 2,000km of Brazil and arrived expecting a future with someone who had never existed.