New “friend” catfishing me?
I (31F) recently befriended someone (26M) who worked at the liquor store near my old apartment. We chatted as I checked out and he asked to get together. I made it clear that I’m only interested in friendship and nothing romantic. I told him I’m a lesbian, and he accepted that.
Since we met, he’s been texting several times a day asking to hang out and calls frequently. He wanted to come to my house but I made it clear that as a woman, I need to take precautions meeting a guy for the first time.
He accepted this and even suggested that when we do meet, I share my location and his contact information with my friends/family. I let my guard down.
We met at a bar and had a great time. We have similar interests and got along easily.
My friend from out of town was coming to visit this past weekend, and I intended to introduce them on a night out. I mentioned to my new “friend” that my friend and I were planning to go to a bowling/arcade place, and we all planned to meet up at the bars that night.
I had a family emergency that day, resulting in a family member in the ER, so plans were cancelled.
This guy appeared to be sympathetic over text but continues to text and call constantly.
Last night, I received a text from a random number in the Chicago area asking to go to a bowling/arcade place this weekend. I thought that was coincidental considering that’s exactly what I did last weekend, and I had a gut feeling it was my new “friend” texting from a random number, trying to be funny or something.
I responded to the text with a laughing emoji, assuming it was my new friend, and they texted back stating this was “Jenny” looking for a “Lisa.” I responded, noting the coincidence of the bowling/arcade thing.
Since then, I’ve received several texts from this number, and they asked if we could turn this accidental text into a friendship.
My gut tells me it’s this new “friend” either trying to trace my texting habits or something more malicious, such as pretend to be a woman in order to prey upon me being gay.
Am I crazy to think my new “friend” is attempting to catfish me? How do I get to the bottom of this? If it’s not him, and it’s either a random girl or a scam, I don’t want to cut him out of my life. But if it is him… I want nothing to do with him.
Any advice?