How do I know he's genuine or a catfish?

[Anonymous]

I've been chatting online to a man for almost 10 years, we've always chatted about meeting up but never really made plans. We chat about our failed relationships or relationships we are in and just stuff in general, kinda like a pen pal thing. But I've grown suspicious because I hadn't chatted online to him for a while and minute I cut an ex out that's been pestering me for 10 years this penfriend makes an appearance online, I hadn't contacted him for a few years In fact day after told my crazy ex he was evil.

So I asked him for his number to WhatsApp him, he said he didn't have WhatsApp, so asked him to send me a picture and he has not responded, I never bothered to ask for a picture before as wasn't interested in pursuing anything he was kinda like someone to chat to day to day things..

Now I don't know what to think. I'm on high alert with what an ex has put me through this guy knows this so why doesn't he put my mind at ease.

Am I paranoid?

[ohsheeT]

oMG. Years what are you superwoman and you guys had no interest in flirting at all to see pictures of each other that's just crazy talk LOL. I start chatting with somebody and if it's a female I want to see a picture or I want to hear their voice because I've had too many people that wanted to chat that said they were real but they were a guy no I would have found that who I was talking to you very first day but I have a very deep feeling that you're right it is either him or somebody that isn't who they said they are

[Finchie40]

If he is making excuses or ignoring to send a picture to you or video chat you , no longer waste your time on him , cuz more than likely he is a catfish. Someone that likes you and wants to get closer to you doesn’t makes excuses to not show themselves to you , do not fall for that shit

[Asker]

Why would someone do that for 10 years x it's bonkers

[Finchie40]

Because they are mentally insane

[Anonymous]

Yes you are becoming paranoid because you are uptight and annoyed with this situation. How are you contacting him before if you don't have his number

[Asker]

Through a website

[Opinion Owner]

What are you trying to get out of it to see if he's actually a real person

[Wise4myage]

Ten years? Come on, that alone reeks of a catfish.

[Asker]

Lol I know.. it's nothing romantic but it's just weird when I told my ex I'd be cutting him off this guy appears to message me on a website. Bizarre.. Probably a flying monkey of the ex

[Wise4myage]

Yes, lmao.

[Asker]

He's changed his spelling but some ways it's the same. I don't know about this one. I'm giving him an option and then dropping him off deleting my account. It's no normal behaviour

[Enes38]

I think you're paranoid, it would be better if you get some support and go on vacation.

[Asker]

After 10 years you'd think he'd initiate a phone call though

[Enes38]

I don't think about such things, I live life as it comes.
Look, life is too short and it really isn't worth being so obsessed with.

[Asker]

Brilliant what's that to do with question though

[Enes38]

That's what I understood

[Iron_Man]

Get on video chat or ask for a salute holding a tablespoon

[Twalli]

Maybe he doesn't have any decent pictures.

[dudegreat91]

Ask him for timestamp photo