Konotay, you're the one being deliberately obtuse here, not Pickles. Here is the deal:There is a bet on the table. Pickles needs to prove to you that he is a professor of chemical engineering. If he can, you pay him ten grand. If he can't, he pays you. There are no questions that need to be asked. You are not contributing to a research and development project. You don't have to become friends with him or chat with him. There is no need to pay a commission. All of that is nonsense. Either agree to the bet, and then find a third party, or back out.