The global underground industry of fake AI doctors
This investigation mapped a global network of AI-generated doctors using fear to go viral among older people in Brazil.
I'm Luiz Fernando Toledo,
Brazilian journalist, researcher and instructor based in London, with a proven track record of producing and managing impactful projects related to Brazil.
My reporting has been translated into various languages, reaching thousands of readers in Brazil and abroad.
See more videos here.
Reporting Impact
Stories I wrote sparked a federal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's sexual enticement network in Brazil, exposed a former president's misuse of public funds, uncovered a bid fraud that saved R$ 15 million from a city's budget and enabled the shutdown of companies involved in illegal activities.
Training
Attended world-class conferences as instructor in Brazil, USA, UK, Portugal, Malaysia, Sweden and others. Trained over 2,000 journalists through online and in-person workshops.
Research
Masters degrees in Data Journalism (Columbia) and Public Administration (FGV‑EAESP). Research-assistant at POLIS‑Cambridge (2024–2026). Former research fellow at Oxford (2021), Columbia (2022–2023) and NED (2023–2024). My research was used by the government to improve transparency policies.
Civil Tech
I enjoy testing different technologies to improve my investigative reporting process and to help other journalists. I founded Datafixers, a data innovation lab that received a US$ 100,000 grant from Columbia and Stanford universities and won the prize for best data journalism project in Brazil.
Investigating AI
In 2026, investigating the impact of artificial intelligence on society has become a central focus of my reporting. These stories look at how synthetic media, automation and AI-generated authority are changing what people watch, how they work, whom they trust and how political influence spreads.
AI-generated videos that eroticise Brazil’s brutal history are reaching millions on YouTube
I investigated how synthetic videos turn the history of slavery and racial violence in Brazil into a high-engagement spectacle — and the platforms, incentives and audiences that allow this material to spread at scale.
‘Fatal harm’: a doctor finds his face cloned by AI
After the first report, a doctor recognised that his face was being used in one of the channels mentioned by the BBC and decided to file a police report. Police then opened an investigation and cited the BBC report as a source.
Following the widespread attention to our findings, YouTube removed most of the channels and videos. Versions of the report were published in several languages: Pashto (Afghanistan), Hindi (India), Thai (Thailand), Russian (Russia), Sinhala (Sri Lanka), Urdu (Pakistan), Tamil (India and Sri Lanka) and Ukrainian (Ukraine).
Workers saying goodbye to formal employment to chase the dream of making AI videos
How the promise of an AI-powered creator economy is changing work, risk and expectations of financial independence.
The flood of AI videos designed to ‘hypnotise’ children on YouTube
An investigation into repetitive synthetic content built for attention — and experts’ concerns about effects that may last a lifetime.
The clandestine market for AI-made ‘candidate supporters’
Behind the election: synthetic political fandom, automated WhatsApp bots and the infrastructure of influence.
We asked AI who to vote for — here’s what it said
What happened when chatbots were asked to take a political position, despite rules against doing so.
The AI character going viral with attacks on Lula’s government and Brazil’s Supreme Court
Following a synthetic persona at the intersection of politics, virality and persuasion.
Your therapist is human — but may be using AI in therapy
The hidden use of artificial intelligence in mental-health care and the risks for patients.
The Brazilian creator translating the chaos of AI
‘People are lost’: a story about making an emerging technology legible to a confused public.
What it’s like to interview for a job with artificial intelligence
Efficiency may improve — but what happens to the human experience of being assessed?
Investigative Reporting
The Epstein-Brazil connection
I analyzed all the millions of Epstein files released by the US government and built scrapers that searched for keywords related to Brazilian figures. This way, we were able to reveal the financial dependency of Brazilian models on the billionaire, connections used to lure young women, and the victims who were taken to the US. The BBC series led to a Federal Prosecution investigation in Brazil seeking a network that lured women. Combined, the reporting reached over 10 million views in text and video and resonated across all major Brazilian media outlets.
The English version of the investigation — Epstein used modelling agent to recruit girls, Brazilian women tell BBC — was published internationally and translated into several languages, including French (Epstein utilisait un agent de mannequins pour recruter des jeunes filles, témoignent des Brésiliennes auprès de la BBC), Polish (Brazylijskie modelki twierdzą, że Epstein rekrutował młode dziewczyny przez agenta modelek), Serbian (Brazilke za BBC: Epstin koristio modnog agenta za regrutaciju devojaka), Chinese (巴西女性向BBC透露，爱泼斯坦曾利用模特儿经纪人招募女孩), and Ukrainian (Як модельні агенції вербували неповнолітніх дівчат для Епштейна).
The global industry of AI-generated fake doctors targeting elderly Brazilians
This investigation mapped a network that generates fake AI doctors to engage elderly audiences. The work led to a police investigation and the takedown of several YouTube channels involved in this kind of wrongdoing.
Sexual abuse in Brazil's military schools
Our investigation reveals that at least nine girls aged 11 to 13 reported inappropriate touching by a military monitor in a public school, raising broader questions about oversight and the civic-military model.
How fake bottle caps and seals fuel Brazil's counterfeit alcohol market
This investigation dismantled a network of over 10,000 people selling bottle parts for beverage counterfeiting and triggered a police investigation.
Giant Amazon fish turned into luxury handbags – but who profits?
The thick, patterned skin of the once-at-risk pirarucu fish is in demand for high-end fashion, but the fishermen want more money.
Secret Budget Amendment Linked to Slave Labor
Investigation reveals how a budget amendment supported by Chamber President Hugo Motta funded construction using stones produced by workers in slave‑like conditions.
Brazilians Face Abuse in Irish Meat Industry
Exclusive investigation exposes precarious working conditions and abuse faced by Brazilian workers in Ireland’s meat processing industry.
Failed enforcement: indigenous objects containing animal parts are freely sold online
A 2‑month investigation into animal feather smuggling and how companies benefit from exploiting indigenous communities in Brazil.
Political Backing Fuels Land Grabbing in Brazil's Distrito Federal
In the Distrito Federal, Brazil, a significant issue of land grabbing in conservation areas is emerging, intensified by political support. These activities are particularly rampant in the Colônia Agrícola 26 de Setembro, a settlement approximately 26 km from the Palácio do Planalto, housing around 35,000 residents.
A world heritage site under attack in Brazil
Brazilwood is being driven to extinction by an industry not often associated with organized crime: classical music. Tests on a sample of the confiscated wood show it was logged in a protected forest.
Other reporting examples
From earlier newsrooms — select one to see additional stories not featured above.
OSINT Investigations
Reporting on Brazil from another country is a challenge. I have increasingly turned to open-source tools and public records to investigate public officials, companies and policy decisions. These stories show what careful verification of digital and documentary evidence can reveal.
Jaques Wagner: what a takedown request got wrong
I rebuilt a website taken offline by a Brazilian court using code its developers had left on GitHub. Checking the page against the case file showed that the election petition had misidentified the conversation displayed: it was not an exchange between Senator Jaques Wagner and banker Daniel Vorcaro.
Read the investigationTracing a phone number linked to a Supreme Court justice
We checked a number listed in records from banker Daniel Vorcaro’s phone against a parliamentary inquiry and accounts on TikTok and other apps. The independent matches added evidence linking the number to Justice Alexandre de Moraes, while the police report stopped short of confirming who used the line.
Who was behind false health advice online?
By examining the source code of e-commerce pages, including Hotmart and Kiwify storefronts, I traced people behind channels spreading misleading health advice through AI-generated doctors. The reporting followed how attention was turned into sales of digital products.
Read the investigationJeffrey Epstein’s property in São Paulo
Brazilian property records established that Jeffrey Epstein had bought an apartment in São Paulo in 2003 and sold it two years later. The deed provided documentary evidence of a previously little-known connection to the country.
Read the investigationAllegations at a civic-military school
Open-source research helped uncover a case that had not previously been reported: at least nine girls, aged 11 to 13, alleged that a military monitor had touched them inappropriately at a school in Paraná. The court case remained under seal; the monitor had not been convicted when the story was published.
Read the investigationInitiatives I've led
Datafixers
Founder- US$100,000 grant from the Brown Institute for Media Innovation (Columbia University)
- Gabo Prize 2024 — environmental coverage with InfoAmazonia
- Best data project in Brazil 2023 — Open Knowledge Foundation
- Published with ICIJ, OCCRP, BBC; supported Washington Post (Pulitzer finalist) and Al Jazeera
- datafixers.org ↗
Abraji
Director for FOIA projects · Advisory board- National research on Brazil's Lei de Acesso à Informação
- Contributed to training 2,000+ journalists in workshops
- This FOIA work earned the Oxford RISJ fellowship
Fiquem Sabendo
Cofounder · content director- Nonprofit specialised in public records requests
- Year-long project on presidential corporate-card spending triggered investigations against current and former presidents
- Câmara dos Deputados Transparency Prize 2022
- Cited in 1,000+ stories by other newsrooms
Jeduca
Director · course co-creator- Co-created a course taken by 1,000+ journalists and students
- Travelled to several Brazilian states giving in-person workshops to students on education journalism
Video reporting
Short-form video reporting for social media
Interviews
Bellingcat's Stage Talks
I was interviewed by Bellingcat to discuss how to use public records and data to investigate environmental crimes in Brazil. Held in English.
Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC)
Panel discussion on investigating environmental crimes at GIJC 2023 in Gothenburg, Sweden.
SBT News
Discussion about transparency and investigative journalism in Brazil.
TV Globo/G1 Podcast (O Assunto)
Podcast discussion about corporate expenses investigation.
FIL Lisbon Conference
Presentation about DataFixers.org at the Lisbon International Fair.
CNN Brasil
Interview about air charter investigation and transparency in government spending.
Awards and Honorable Mentions
- 2024🏆 WinnerPrêmio Gabo 2024 – coverage with InfoAmazonia and Datafixers.orgFundación Gabo
- 2024ShortlistSigma AwardsSigma Awards
- 2023🏆 WinnerPrêmio Claudio Weber Abramo – Categoria Dados AbertosEscola de Dados/Open Knowledge Brasil
- 2023🏆 WinnerPrêmio Claudio Weber Abramo – Categoria InvestigaçãoEscola de Dados/Open Knowledge Brasil
- 2023ShortlistPremio Roche 2023Premio Roche
- 2022🏆 WinnerPrêmio Transparência e Fiscalização Pública – Câmara dos Deputados (with Fiquem Sabendo)Câmara dos Deputados
- 2022ShortlistPrêmio Claudio Weber Abramo 2022 – Má alimentação à BrasileiraEscola de Dados/Open Knowledge Brasil
- 2022ShortlistSigma Awards 2022 – Open LuxSigma Awards
- 2022ShortlistSigma Awards 2022 – Personal portfolioSigma Awards
- 2022ShortlistSigma Awards 2022 – Revealing the Brazilian military pensionSigma Awards
- 2021ShortlistIREE 2021IREE
- 2021ShortlistSigma Awards 2021 – Shedding light on government pensionSigma Awards
- 2021ShortlistSigma Awards 2021 – Chloroquine and the Brazilian ArmySigma Awards
- 2021🏆 WinnerJornalismo Mosca 2021 – SolteiragateJornalismo Mosca
- 2021ShortlistPrêmio Claudio Weber Abramo 2021 – SolteiragateTransparência Brasil
- 2019ShortlistSigma Awards 2019 – Personal portfolioSigma Awards
- 2019🏆 WinnerPrêmio Claudio Weber Abramo 2019 – Newsletter Don’t “LAI” to meTransparência Brasil
- 2018🏆 WinnerPrêmio Estado de Jornalismo 2018 (Categoria Reportagem, 2nd place) – A rede bolsonarista de desinformaçãoEstado de São Paulo
- 2018ShortlistPremio ANPR 2018 – Fraude em cotas raciaisANPR
- 2018🏆 WinnerPrêmio Estado de Jornalismo 2018 (Categoria Serviço) – Estadão VerificaEstado de São Paulo
- 2017🏆 WinnerPrêmio Estado de Jornalismo 2017 (Categoria Reportagem, 2nd place) – Fraude em transparência em SPEstado de São Paulo
- 2017🏆 WinnerPrêmio Estado de Jornalismo 2017 (Categoria Reportagem, 3rd place) – Internações psiquiátricas (série)Estado de São Paulo
- 2017🏆 WinnerPremio ANPR 2017 – Denunciando uma rede de pornografia infantilANPR
- 2016🏆 WinnerPremio Allianz Ayrton Senna 2016 – O fechamento de escolas em SP
Instituto Ayrton Senna
- 2011🏆 WinnerPremio ASU/Schaeffer 2011 – A história da mulher que adotou seis criançasASU/Schaeffer
Research & fellowships
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2019–2021
FGV-EAESPMS Public Administration (full scholarship)FOI research adopted by gov.
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2021
Oxford · RISJTrust in News fellow (6 months)Course for 300+ journalists
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2021–2022
Columbia UniversityMS Data Journalism (full scholarship)Datafixers founded here
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2022–2023
Brown InstituteMedia Innovation fellowship (Columbia)US$100k grant → Datafixers
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2023–2024
NEDReagan-Fascell fellow — AI in investigative journalismAI chatbot & reaction simulator
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2024–present
Cambridge · POLISResearch-assistant — Prison Consensus ProjectOngoing
Scholarships and Grants
- 2024Together for Conservation (EJN, 2024)Earth Journalism Network
- 2022Person of the Year 2022 – Brazilian American Chamber of CommerceBrazilian American Chamber of Commerce
- 2021–2022Columbia Journalism School (US$ 91,500 in tuition) 2021/2022Columbia University
- 2020ICFJ Latin America Grantee 2020 – FOIA – Brazil and US projectICFJ
- 2019Instituto Ling’s Visionary Journalist US$
60,000 scholarship (2019) – Jornalista de Visão
Instituto Ling
- 2018ICFJ Emerging Leaders Program / fellow 2018ICFJ
Courses & workshops
Como usar IA no jornalismo? (Em português)
Udemy
Portuguese 🇧🇷
Investigate public spending with the Brazilian Freedom of Information Act
4.6/5 · 428 students · 1.5 hours
View on Udemy
Abraji
Portuguese 🇧🇷
Kit de Ferramentas Gemini para Jornalistas
Free initiative by Abraji with Google support — video tutorials, prompts, AI agents and workflows for investigative journalists.
Read more
Jeduca · Abraji
Portuguese 🇧🇷
Jornalismo de Educação: Bases para a Cobertura
Free online course covering evaluation systems, data analysis, AI tools and source development for education reporters. 11 sessions.
Read more