Virginia Fonseca sues Facebook over AI-generated fake images
Brazilian television presenter Virginia Fonseca filed a lawsuit against Facebook in September 2025 after discovering six Instagram profiles operating as fake fan clubs that published AI-generated images of her with footballer Vini Jr. and used her likeness for false advertisements of online casinos. Fonseca reported that the synthetic media created confusion among her followers and harmed her reputation while generating illegal profits for unknown third parties.
What happened
In early September 2025, Virginia Fonseca, a Brazilian television presenter and influencer, filed a lawsuit against Facebook after discovering six Instagram profiles presented as fan clubs that were publishing AI-generated fake images of her with footballer Vini Jr., creating rumors of a romantic relationship.
The profiles also used her image to create false advertisements for online casinos and betting houses. Fonseca stated that people confused these pages with official accounts, damaging her reputation and generating illicit profit for third parties.
Reported impact
Fonseca reported that the fake images and false advertisements created confusion among her audience, with people mistaking the fraudulent content for official pages affiliated with her.
Her reputation was harmed by the AI-generated content, which also generated profit for others without her consent through false commercial endorsements.
Index analysis
The incident demonstrates how AI-generated synthetic images can be used to create misleading content about real individuals on social media platforms, combining deepfake imagery with fraudulent advertising.
Governance controls
Fonseca requested that Facebook remove the fake profiles and cease distribution of the AI-generated content, focusing the lawsuit on content removal rather than seeking damages or identification of the account owners.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.