Someone I talk to quite frequently online claims to be a successful investment banker with a multi-million pound property portfolio and who earns hundreds of thousands per annum (who also happens to live in a flat above a betting shop)

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My gut instinct is that truly rich people would never boast about their 'multi-million pound' property portfolio online or that it would be so easy to find out where they live. He literally shared a video of his new home plus location (Camden), plus its quite easy to search on companies house). Plus when you look at his linkedin, he seems to be doing sales/marketing rather than investment banking.

In fact his latest comment to someone who posted is ''i'm working on several long term projects with my current employer that if I manage to pull it off, within the next 5-8 years, I expect to earn an 8-figure sum for my role in brokering this deal and the first figure won't be a 1. I know life is grim and tough, that's why I'm so busy making more money rather than bitching about how the NHS isn't good enough. I'm off to Dubai to negotiate some deals in November, I'm flying business and being put up in one of those ludicrously expensive hotels in Dubai that's totally over the top. I make sure I take care of myself by being rich, I suggest you try that too since you're just as aware as I am for the need to become rich.'

I know it should bother me less but he is honestly quite rude about people less fortunate than him and frankly quite boastful. There are times when he boasts about he lives in a luxurious house and people who are familiar with the london property market have pointed out that flat above betting shop isn't really considered a 'luxury home'; not that there is anything wrong with such; its just not somewhere you tend to imagine multi-millionaires living in even in London as its a far cry from penthouse apartment in Kensington (which is what i imagine multi-millionaires would opt for if they prefer apartment living). However, he keeps insisting that he is so incredibly rich. I know that a lot of mumsnetters probably do invent fantasy lives but why does he do it AND also share his real life identity so people with some Googling skills can see through it. I am guessing if he wants to keep his privacy, he wouldn't share his real life name and photos of himself and vlogs! And if his life is real, well does it sound really likely to you?

I am not sure why it bothers me, but I guess its because I have engaged with him and i can see the inconsistencies; so the thoughts don't go away? Plus I guess he assumes when I point out the inconsistencies that I must have a 'working class mindset' and I must be poor, so i guess him being insulting is getting to me (even though it shouldn't!)

Oh and he isn't a troll, i am quite sure of that.

I also thought it was really interesting and suitable for Mumsnet. It's said a lot of people here have fantasy lives but I have never read anything so farfetched here...

In his words:

As for Dubai, recently, I emerged the hero as my boss was about to use a solution that would cost the company US$125,000 a year in running costs and I found him an alternative that would cost just under US$10,000 a year to run whilst producing the same results. He said, run it by our technical expert to see if he thinks that the cheaper solution is acceptable and the technical expert's email was like yes it's wonderful, this is brilliant etc etc. Yes, I know I'm brilliant thank you.

• In his words:

As for Dubai, recently, I emerged the hero as my boss was about to use a solution that would cost the company US$125,000 a year in running costs and I found him an alternative that would cost just under US$10,000 a year to run whilst producing the same results. He said, run it by our technical expert to see if he thinks that the cheaper solution is acceptable and the technical expert's email was like yes it's wonderful, this is brilliant etc etc. Yes, I know I'm brilliant thank you.*

A couple of years ago my DH a contact was about to pay some scam site to get a free US tourist Visa invest heavily in travel logistics, until I dragged his hands from the laptop intervened with a solution which saved us 100% of the estimated finance package. I was acclaimed as a hero not given any thanks at all, the grumpy sod.

Have you ever met this person or is this all based on social media and email? Everything online can be faked, pictures lifted off profiles and websites. Even linkedin is not independently verified.

Some people truly believe their own bullshit. There’s also this crap about ‘manifesting‘ and some take it to mean if I say something enough it’ll miraculously come true.

I would be fascinated too OP

its like he has crystallised his idea of himself and even if in his day to day actions (flat above betting shop/complaining about bar) he’s not where he wants to be - in his fantasy life he’s on the trajectory he set for himself 10 years ago with his audience supporting him in his beliefs.

I know of a lot of guys who are “crypto millionaires waiting for a bull market” and they are mostly fantasists, often gamers.

I do find it odd these mumsnetters not understanding the idea of how you could meet him just through his ideas and asking if you met him on a dating app as though that was the only way people engage online.

but No I can’t say that I would believe him in the context you describe - his quoting how he saved the company money - why would you share that? A strange man I’m sure it’s how cults start. Interesting that instagram mums n huns focus on lifestyle and looks and men on money and being a “man” of whatever type n flavour

The world- no sounds like a lie
You- yes but…..

Really, rich successful people tend to be very busy.

People doing exciting or indeed boring deals and solutions for companies tend to sign confidentiality contracts and won’t post about them online until after it’s all gone through (sometimes years after) or indeed ever.

It’s perfectly possible for people to create on online life that seems true. Even using LinkedIn.

It’s perfectly possible for someone to go to great schools and Universities and not be successful in their working life and create a fantasy version.

It’s unlikely to be real.

At best he's a fantasist, at worst he's a con man....you haven't given him any money have you OP?

I know a couple of people who are like this and I keep following them because I know what the truth is and it’s very interesting to see how they put forward this image of being millionaires while driving rented cars and living in rented houses! If you don’t know then they are very believable though.

Why are you talking to this idiot
Or anyone you dont know on line
Read a book
Go for a run
Do some sport
Do something worthwhile

I’m not sure how you can read guff like you’ve quoted without your eyes rolling so much they fall out of your head. Why wouldn’t you just write him off as a fantasist weirdo if this is the kind of stuff he writes?

TBF, even a flat above a shop in Camden is pretty pricey these days, but people with real money tend to want to live in places with cachet (hence why luxury developers have not had much luck with multimillion apartments in places like London Bridge or Vauxhall). Also I think most people with real money would be secure enough not to have to boast about it all the time.

He's just deluded. Why waste so much mental energy and time thinking about why? You don't need to understand it, just understand that it's all bullshit and leave him to it.

Why does it bother you so much?

Lol no. He is not asking for money either. I mean, he also claims to speak 25 languages (7 fluently) and to be an accomplished actor who has acted in ads and commercials.

I mean, my DH speaks European languages and says his french/german is dreadful, never mind about the other languages. Obviously people have different ideas on what constitutes 'fluency' in a language so I don't think that is a lie per se, but being unable to discern one's true abilities.

Aren't you talking to me online?:)

But I am not claiming to be a multimillionaire!

That's hilarious from someone talking to strangers on MN!

Chatting to people online isn't the problem, being so invested in them that you've followed their blog for 10 years and now you're searching every little detail of their life probably is.
You don't need his LinkedIn to see its bullshit, you don't think 25 languages is a lie. Come on now, a multimillionaire with time to blog, learn 25 languages (7 fluently) and be in adverts, it's clearly nonsense. Stop investing time in this man 🤷‍♀️

You asked how to avoid scams/liars, not being over invested would be the first step, look out for the absolutely unbelievable (25 languages along with all the other hobbies)

Has anyone ever actually asked him why he's living in a flat in a rough area when he's so rich and could live in a nice place?

I am not sure it's rough per se, it's a major road in Camden; and he says it's a freaking huge flat that is comparable to a house.

The problem is you started to read a blog.

I remember when blogging took off and thought why would I want to read the diary of a random person on the internet. I know a minuscule amount write well and an event smaller amount get book deals.

I read your first example and that was enough.

Oh that hilarious! Even if all tries, its hilarious what a twat he is.

I remember when I was young, coming out of a club with a friend. We passed this bloke just outside leaning/sit on a brand new Porsche. We started chatting to him , he said it was his and we tried to persuade him to take us for a ride in it. He kept saying 'no' but continued posing, chatting about it. Then some other bloke, came out of the club, got in the car and drove off! First bloke was just left standing there and me and my friend fell about laughing.

'I don't have one flat (singular) in London but I am a landlord who owns several flats (plural) in London, creating a multi-million pound property portfolio. I'm obviously a lot older than you so I've been working a lot longer to accumulate that kind of wealth. My current home isn't comparable to a flat, but it far more like a house given the amount of floor space it has. Not all London flats are equal, some are a lot bigger than others. If it were a house, it would be the equivalent of a 3-bedroom house (in zone 2 mind you) with a garden but the design of it is somewhat unusual and that was part of the attraction when I bought it of course. Dare I state the obvious: my flat is probably at least twice the size of yours, if not more than that given that it is spread over 3 floors (that's right, 3 floors, I get a lot of exercise walking up and down those stairs).'

I would say he just enjoys living the fantasy…
I live just by Soho farmhouse (expensive private members club) and the richest people there are turning up in their clapped out Polos not the brand new Ranges.

Anyone who refers to their manager / CEO / senior partner, etc as “boss” is not someone who is working in the type of jobs he claims.

He’s bullshitting OP. There are so many people like him on social media. Mostly guys, who act as career advisors/ guidance for younger people but it’s all a bit fat show for social media.

What a twat 😂