You could translate it as follows (depending on the context): to believe in somebody, to rely on somebody, to count on somebody. Source: https://dict.leo.org/englisch-deutsch/auf%20jemanden%20setzen There is as well the phrase: auf das falsche Pferd setzen - to back the wrong horse

I do not consider google translate as a source for verifying meaning of sentences or words. And when one does not know the target language at all (according to your profile), there is a high chance of getting it wrong.

Google Translate agrees with you.