Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

AIBU to think this was the start of something twisted?

85 replies

ShockedP · 15/01/2026 07:05

I don’t know if I should have done something more but I have just had my worst online dating experience ever.

I was talking to this guy from a foreign city I was recently in. We matched the day before I flew back to England a few days ago. We had been messaging off and on. I do go to that city a lot so the plan was to meet next time I am there.

He was 34, worked in SEO for a digital marketing agency, very good looking, well dressed in his pictures, seemingly personable and had good conversational skills. A rare find on there tbh

Last night was probably the longest chat we had had, it was going back and forth talking about anything and everything and initially it was fun. But gradually I started to realise he was slightly off.

First it was little things like using too many of these 😂😂 emojis when what he was saying wasn’t that funny. I’ve noticed the men who do that end up a being a bit too crazy and not in a good way. He seemed fairly reserved then slowly was becoming a bit too hyper.

And then when I asked why his 4 year relationship ended the only thing he could point to was because she kept sunbathing topless on the beach in front of his friends.

I said did you have any other problems with her? And he said she also swam naked in lakes or something.

I don’t go topless myself, but it seemed weird how fixated he was on this one thing when he didn’t seem a particularly conservative man.

I could only guess she must have dumped him, because he had nothing of substance to say about their breakup or against her . He said she was “not serious” in terms of her personality.

He asked if I like younger men lol he’s only 5 years younger. I just said not too young and not too old and that I prefer men around my age. Hint hint - you ain’t that young dude!

Then I asked him how old was his last ex. She was 24.

Hmm so he was 30 and she was 20 when they got together. That did put me off tbh while I wouldn’t bat an eyelid at 34 and 44, to me 20 and 30 is questionable.

It makes me question why a grown man went for a young woman so close to teenage years when he’s 30. Especially because he was essentially complaining she was “not serious” .

It annoys me when older men go out of their to date younger women, not long out of school then complain about their lack of maturity. I did point that out to him.

But I also thought it could’ve just been a coincidence and it is not that he targeted a 20 year old specifically. Because he was talking to me and I was older than him.

Then out of the blue he said his first girlfriend was a “little girl”. Now I thought he was referring to the “not serious” topless bathing loving 24 year old and I was like yeah early 20s is so young. But I was still uneasy that he had described her that way.

He says “no, I mean my very first girlfriend”.

I said how old were you then? He said 20.

I was going to change the subject away from exes but something stirred in me and told me I needed to ask how old was this first girlfriend. Now I assumed he was going to say 16 and the red flags were already forming. Then he comes out and say 12.

12 he dated (abused) a 12 year old old 🤯

note, I am using google translate for a lot of this as I am a beginner only in his language. But obviously he just typed out 12 so there could be no mistake.

I eventually asked him neutrally - so you are saying as a 20 year old man you chose a 12 year old child to “date” (abuse)?

I was trying not to react so I could draw it out of him.

But he must’ve realised my disgust and kind of backtracked and said he only “dated” her for 5 weeks and they didn’t do anything sexual.

Even if that’s true I definitely think they must have at least kissed and it’s still utterly horrifying.

I asked him one final question “what did you see in a 12 year old child?”

His answer “at that time she was the only one who would listen to me.”

What a creep. I felt like crying for this child.
I don’t know if he done anything illegal as he supposedly didn’t sleep with said 12 year old but he “dated” ie. Preyed upon a child. I am sure it would have went that way if he had hung about a little longer.

I couldn’t pretend not to be disgusted any longer so I immediately blocked and reported him. My reason given was “ he said he dated a 12 year old” I doubt anything can be done but I just wanted to report him to someone at least.

AIBU to think this could have been the start of something very twisted? He felt comfortable to tell a complete stranger he dated a 12 year old.
What was the motivation for this I wonder 💭 And what else would he have shared as time went on?

If I had talked more maybe I could’ve got more out of him , enough to share with authorities in his country , but I just couldn’t stomach it any longer.

Sometimes I watch true crime about an abusive couples with strange illegal “kinks” and I wonder how did they find out about each other being so perverted? Who told who first? How did they figure out the other person was a fellow creep and it was safe for them to disclose these desires too?

It has kind of made me sick that he felt he could disclose that to me, especially on the same evening I had shared that I work with kids as part of my freelance work.

It’s just terrifying the type of men that are out there hiding in plain sight. His hard drive wants checking.

OP posts:
CremeCarmel · 15/01/2026 08:10

DeftGoldHedgehog · 15/01/2026 07:24

YANBU. What an odd bunch of incel comments.

Yes, really really weird. They have infiltrated Mumsnet. It’s horrible. Creepy.

ShockedP · 15/01/2026 08:12

District66 · 15/01/2026 08:09

In my experience, they enjoy talking about it. Whatever it is the kink in their life they’re just absolutely desperate to tell you about it.
Don’t listen to it
As others have said the minute the topless sunbathing crap was disclosed. That was your queue to Block.

We can focus on and on, in what exact moment I should’ve blocked. I was online chatting and thought I clicked with someone. He mentioned a few times about the topless bathing and yes it was odd but most of the conversation was great.

The benefit of hindsight is always 20/20. We don’t always act perfectly in the moment.

I am just amazed some are focusing on that rather than what he actually said.

I blocked after he said about the child, it’s not like I chatted about his favourite book after that.

OP posts:
Changingplace · 15/01/2026 08:12

Cosyblankets · 15/01/2026 07:15

Sounds to me like he was winding you up and you fell for it

Agreed, I think he likely wasn’t even from where he said and all if it was complete nonsense, he was just killing time making up some ridiculous stories.

ShockedP · 15/01/2026 08:14

Whitesidetable · 15/01/2026 08:08

No you didn’t. You interacted and carried it on.

you fed his fantasies if he is that sort of person.

I blocked in less than one minute, the one or two follow up question was to clarify what he was saying and I was also in shock.

That is not carried it on. Get a grip.

OP posts:
OneShyQuail · 15/01/2026 08:18

ShockedP · 15/01/2026 07:16

Surreal. No men I know would joke about being with a 12 year old.

What a waste of your night talking so much to a random stranger.
Yes what he said was just gross but I dont get the whole "deep chats" chatting for ages fo a stranger. Literally could be anyone. People are out here revealing their life to random, wasting time creating fake bonds etc, getting upset when a stranger doesnt reply, even "falling in love" its madness.
OLD - match with someone, brief chat, arrange a quick coffee date after around 48 hours of chat. Meet, decide and continue or move on.
Weedles out the time wasters and weirdos and stops anyone getting invested.

This is all just madness!

ShockedP · 15/01/2026 08:18

CremeCarmel · 15/01/2026 08:10

Yes, really really weird. They have infiltrated Mumsnet. It’s horrible. Creepy.

Right and they can fuck off as they’re derailing it.

Focusing on the fact I should have blocked 30 seconds earlier - as if that’s the issue - or I because I chatted and hadn’t met him irl yet. Even though that is how OLD works.

I blocked and reported.

OP posts:
JetFlight · 15/01/2026 08:21

You did the right thing op. This guy was weird from the beginning.
Be aware of your boundaries because it’s so easy when you’re in that situation to soften them a bit and even question yourself in order to give someone a chance.
Sometimes it’s that confusion that impacts us more. You know you can trust yourself.

Bourneo · 15/01/2026 08:23

Halfthethrill · 15/01/2026 07:53

did you read my very next post?

I can’t fathom carrying on after someone said their relationship ended because their girlfriend liked sunbathing topped but each to their own I gues.

Yeah I did, and it wouldn't sit right for me, but he sounds like it was all part of the same conversation. And when someone displays loads of positive traits it can be easy to overlook the first red flag.

ShockedP · 15/01/2026 08:25

JetFlight · 15/01/2026 08:21

You did the right thing op. This guy was weird from the beginning.
Be aware of your boundaries because it’s so easy when you’re in that situation to soften them a bit and even question yourself in order to give someone a chance.
Sometimes it’s that confusion that impacts us more. You know you can trust yourself.

Sometimes it’s that confusion that impacts us more. You know you can trust yourself

Yeah you are right I can! I sometimes go through a phases of second guessing myself as I usually unmatch quickly and think dang is there anyone I actually like? Lol.

But it’s better to only have a few dates in any given year, that are decent men - than give lots of men a chance to date. Glad I didn’t meet this man in person.

OP posts:
Whitesidetable · 15/01/2026 08:27

ShockedP · 15/01/2026 08:14

I blocked in less than one minute, the one or two follow up question was to clarify what he was saying and I was also in shock.

That is not carried it on. Get a grip.

Catch a grip - read your opening post. You entertained a load of nonsense from him. You said it was a long chat in your opening post.

ShockedP · 15/01/2026 08:31

Bourneo · 15/01/2026 08:23

Yeah I did, and it wouldn't sit right for me, but he sounds like it was all part of the same conversation. And when someone displays loads of positive traits it can be easy to overlook the first red flag.

Exactly. People expect women to be like the police and identify every problem in a nanosecond. “Why didn’t you do x y or z” I am not a robot. Sometimes it takes a while to process things.

He was mostly about cooking, museums, travel, and asking me lots of questions about my interests which a lot of men online don’t do.

That evening things had started to go a bit weird. I had told myself there must be more about his ex but he just didn’t want to go into it so was using a weird excuse. But I was beginning to wonder for sure.

But when it went left totally I blocked him.

OP posts:
ShockedP · 15/01/2026 08:33

Whitesidetable · 15/01/2026 08:27

Catch a grip - read your opening post. You entertained a load of nonsense from him. You said it was a long chat in your opening post.

“Catch a grip” yeah great.

I’ve said multiple times most of the long chat was good, he said a few weird things about the same things mostly.

When he said about the child I blocked. That was the end of the conversation when we got to that point. It’s not as if that was bang right in the middle.

OP posts:
Whitesidetable · 15/01/2026 08:34

OneShyQuail · 15/01/2026 08:18

What a waste of your night talking so much to a random stranger.
Yes what he said was just gross but I dont get the whole "deep chats" chatting for ages fo a stranger. Literally could be anyone. People are out here revealing their life to random, wasting time creating fake bonds etc, getting upset when a stranger doesnt reply, even "falling in love" its madness.
OLD - match with someone, brief chat, arrange a quick coffee date after around 48 hours of chat. Meet, decide and continue or move on.
Weedles out the time wasters and weirdos and stops anyone getting invested.

This is all just madness!

Edited

This.

Owly11 · 15/01/2026 08:34

No need for all the detail. You were chatting to a stranger who disclosed he dated a child. You stop chatting, block, delete and move on. What on earth relevance has the rest of it got?

Whitesidetable · 15/01/2026 08:35

ShockedP · 15/01/2026 08:33

“Catch a grip” yeah great.

I’ve said multiple times most of the long chat was good, he said a few weird things about the same things mostly.

When he said about the child I blocked. That was the end of the conversation when we got to that point. It’s not as if that was bang right in the middle.

You’re the one who told me to get a grip.

I wouldn’t have entertained long chats with someone I hadn’t met and where I wasn’t co-located with them.

but then. I’m old and cynical.

ShockedP · 15/01/2026 08:38

For those who don’t like how long my opening post was.

Don’t read it then or move along. I told the story like how I wanted to.

My AIBU was stated, I was wondering if I should have done more to report him (but I’d did report to the app) and also wondered if this was how creepy relationships start? Also just mainly shocked and wanting to offload I guess.

Fair enough if you’re not interested or think it’s full of pointless detail -it’s done now, move on to other posts.

OP posts:
SandyY2K · 15/01/2026 08:44

You've given too much head space to this, including the lengthy post. Block, delete and don't give it a second thought.

There are so many weirdos out there in the OLD world, I'm sure MN would be filled with nothing else if everyone posted about them.

ShockedP · 15/01/2026 08:45

Anyway thanks to those who have responded supportively and with empathy as it was very triggering to me for various reasons - and of course anyone would be disgusted at hearing this be it a “Fantasy or not”

I think the thread has run its course now and I don’t want to keep replying to a certain kind of post that is irking me but I keep getting sucked in so I’ll abandon it now lol

I was shaken up and I make no apology for that. It was totally shocking and disgusting and unexpected for me. It will take as long as it takes for me to feel ok or not but yes I have blocked.

Going out to touch grass as they say, that’s enough internet for me!

Going out later for a relaxkng coffee with a lovely male friend. I mention he is male more of a reminder to myself there are decent men out there 🥹

Stay safe on these apps ladies (and men)

OP posts:
usedtobeaylis · 15/01/2026 08:49

Do you have children OP? I would be concerned he was looking for women with children after that. Fishing, basically.

I don't know what some of the comments on here are about.

Slightyamusedandsilly · 15/01/2026 08:50

@ShockedP I would say that if anything, he was targeting you BECAUSE you work with young children.

It has kind of made me sick that he felt he could disclose that to me, especially on the same evening I had shared that I work with kids as part of my freelance work.

Having access to children through a partner can be part of the paedophile playbook. Maybe in his twisted mind, you BOTH like children.

Gahr · 15/01/2026 08:52

He probably wasn't even a real person.

OneShyQuail · 15/01/2026 08:52

ShockedP · 15/01/2026 08:45

Anyway thanks to those who have responded supportively and with empathy as it was very triggering to me for various reasons - and of course anyone would be disgusted at hearing this be it a “Fantasy or not”

I think the thread has run its course now and I don’t want to keep replying to a certain kind of post that is irking me but I keep getting sucked in so I’ll abandon it now lol

I was shaken up and I make no apology for that. It was totally shocking and disgusting and unexpected for me. It will take as long as it takes for me to feel ok or not but yes I have blocked.

Going out to touch grass as they say, that’s enough internet for me!

Going out later for a relaxkng coffee with a lovely male friend. I mention he is male more of a reminder to myself there are decent men out there 🥹

Stay safe on these apps ladies (and men)

Edited

Im not sure what you expected given you posted in a public forum, but you will get a mixed bag regardless of what you are looking for. Aside from reassurance I hope you take on board advice about how much time and investment you are giving to strangers, you could literally be talking to anyone....dont let them invade your headspace like this for your own health!

Whosthetabbynow · 15/01/2026 08:54

Overly invested in some random. Urgggh. Bin

NotMeAtAll · 15/01/2026 09:06

Sounds like a fucking weirdo. 🤢 Maybe he was 14 and used some kind of filter.

NotnowMildrid · 15/01/2026 09:14

It must have been a horrible experience.

Paedos can’t help themselves, they love to talk about their favourite subject and will push on to see how much they can get away with.

Keep safe always.

Swipe left for the next trending thread