It was a glimpse into the mind of the man behind the Manti Teo hoax and the motivation that led him to deception.

"This was a love affair," said Dr. Phil McGraw during a Thursday interview on the Dr. Phil Show.

"As twisted and confusing as it may be, yeah," said 22-year-old Ronaiah Tuiasosopo.

Tuiasasopo publicly admitted he was the mastermind who created "Lennay Kekua," the fake online girlfriend that football star Manti Te'o would call "the love of his life."

"I just found out that everything I believed to be my reality wasn't a reality at all," said former Notre Dame football star Manti Te'o on Couric's show last Thursday.

"I think the Internet invites people, because of anonymity, to feel they can stretch the bounds of personal responsibility," said Psychologist Dr. Marvin Acklin.

He said Tuiasosopo created what's called an 'Avatar,' an imaginary character often created in an online game of deception, these days called Catfishing, and all played under the cloak of the internet.

"It's a con. We have a whole class of criminals that make a living doing cons," he said.

"Did you assume this identity to get money?" asked Dr. Phil.

"No. I never wanted anything," said Tuiasosopo.