Where is he really from?

[shewhosellsshoes]

Been seeing a guy for a few weeks, seems to be going well.
Originally told me he was Greek, said parents were born there but he was raised in Turkey. Then I overheard him telling someone who served us in a cafe that he's of Azerbaijani origins (no idea who that conversation came up as I'd been in the toilet and later joined him in the queue).
Over the couple of weeks following this, I starting getting bit suspicious so asked if he'd show me his passport or UK visa so that I could be certain about his true nationality. Not that I have any problems with any nationality, I just need to know who he is and where he's really from! Like, seriously.
He got a bit cagey and said his passport is being held by the Home Office. I was like why on earth would that be? As far as I'm aware, none of the 3 countries he's mentioned so far are particularly dangerous, risky etc.
He said it's because there's an admin problem with the passport but refused to elaborate. I asked to see any national ID card or driving license etc but he said doesn't have them.
Google searches reveal nobody with the name he's been using. And it's a name that isn't particularly foreign-sounding. Think along the lines of "Johnny" or "Freddie".
How can I find out who he really is? I like him a lot but doesn't want to invest my time in a potential relationship with someone who either turns out to be lying about his nationality or maybe turns out to have no legal status in the UK.
Appearance wise, he's pretty generic looking... Could pass as being from anywhere Mediterrean, Middle East or Eastern Europe. Just don't know what do do. He speaks with an accent but I can't place it. I've never actually heard him speak his native language (whatever that might be), so can't even guess at what it is or would sound like.
What do I do?

These are all massive red flags. Have you been to his house or where he lives? Do you have any pictures you could reverse image search?

Kurdish I expect.

Almost certainly married with the ‘no social media’ comment and complete invisibility online.

Nationality is totally irrelevant. He could be 100% British with his wife living two streets away…

Isn't there specific reasons why the home office hold on to passports? I don't know but I expect someone does

This is all true, but very odd that an Azeri Turk would describe themselves as Greek.

OP you are suspicious that you don't even know his actual name, let alone the fact that he is being shady about where he's from and what work he does. Do you really need to ask if this is a good idea?

If this is an attempt to stir up even more hatred, it’s working… some of the replies on here are simply horrible

Actually most, myself included, seem to think where he's from is irrelevant it's the fact that he's clearly lying.

Not that odd, because Greek = EU = a ‘respectable’ nationality to have

@shewhosellsshoes I'd be extremely wary. Sounds like he is lying to you.

He could well have a family overseas and is here ''under the radar''.

No social media presence is very strange.

Even thew Afghans {In Afghanistan} I knew had Facebook!

The fact that he is lying this early on is not a good thing.

Find an honest, transparent man who isn't trying to hide his past.

I don't think we need to go down the illegal immigrant route, particularly in light of what's been going on lately. It's enough that he's lied to her.

It doesn’t matter WHERE he’s from. The issue is WHY is he being cagey?

I'm sure he will photos of his passport on his phone, especially as he says he has no proof of identity. Very fishy, he's hiding something or would just otherwise tell you. Xx

@CaptainMyCaptain that’s why I said “some of” the replies, not “most.” It looks like the worst offender has been removed, but there are enough other comments with a nasty undercurrent to raise alarm bells - especially given what’s been going on this last week.

OP the thing is he could disappear/ ghost hog and you would have no idea where or who he is

Dump and report what you know to HMRC - they can investigate if he is working ‘cash in hand’.

2 things which may or may not be of help:

1. is his name Tony? I don’t know why but I think half the Albanian men I’ve met have used the name Tony

2. Iraqi and Iranian men sometimes say they are Greek. I assume because they feel they would be judged for their true nationality. Also, Greece is in the EU, so freedom of movement etc.

Could be Albanian. When I was 17 I dated an Albanian who did the same. I became suspicious and when he went out one night I was staying I raided his room and found his ID under his mattress. I confronted him and he said he lied as people think bad things about Albanians. He was a teen himselfand pretty vulnerable - I saw cigarette burns on his arms. Think he'd come illegally and had been exploited by the people who brought him. We stayed together a little while and I learnt some Albanian but then ended it as I obviously didn't trust him. Not sure what happened to him.

On a side note if you have a voice note of him speaking his language you can get Google translate to identify it. Have you heard him speaking it?

He also lied about his name. Said Eric when it was Erlind.

Perhaps not but you should mind that you know nothing about him, not even the basics like his name, country of origin, job, or immigration status. You've only been with him for a few weeks, something clearly isn't adding up, just walk away.

Just had a look at the thread and multiple PPs saying Albanian too so obviously it's a thing. Thing is a lot if Albanians came illegally last 20 years by various means. Doesn't mean they're bad people but unfortunately many get caught up with doing illegal stuff since they don't have the right papers so they are cagey.

BTW I'm usually the first to accuse people of stirring things up but because this situation happened to me I believe the OP is genuine and it is likely to be this situation. Recently the Albanian government agreed with the UK to deport back lots of Albanians who have come illegally so he might be wanting to stay on the DL.

Learn a few words in Albanian and try them on him to gage reaction 🙂

You may not mind where he's from, but the point is he's a liar, cagey and untrustworthy.

You'll never be able to believe anything he says.

Is that what you want from a partner?

Whatever else you do, make sure your contraception is 💯% working.

Very odd and not worth the aggro. He’s lied to you and is being deceitful. Run.

It’s not that though. It’s the fact he’s quite clearly not who he says he is.

So many alarm bells OP. Some questions I'd have..
Does he have a bank account/bank card in his name?
Does he rent/own a property on his own?
Does he have a phone contract?

Those things you'd need to of had solid ID to get. Have you met any of his friends or family yet? Xx

It doesn't look very hatred filled to me. Almost all are saying it doesn't matter what OP isn't certain about but she should feel confident of who her date is and a bit about his background at this stage, whatever that might be.

That bodes well for the relationship and personal safety (regardless of where he's from, she needs to know who she's spending time with). Him being unclear doesn't.