MADRID -- A young Spaniard who became smitten with a woman he saw on a tram posted fliers on lampposts hoping to make contact. Someone claiming to be the woman responded by pleading with him to leave her alone.

Spanish newspaper El Pais and other media reported Friday how Sergio Moreno had posted a letter titled "The Girl on the Tram" in the southeastern city of Murcia, describing the date and time of seeing her, how she was dressed and how he wished he could have cheered her up.

The story went viral when pictures started appearing of a supposed response from the woman, accusing Moreno of harassment and saying "if you want to make me happy, stop looking for me." But El Espanol newspaper cited a woman who said she wasn't on the tram but had written the response because she and her friends had viewed Moreno's letter not as one of romance but one that instilled fear.

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Moreno told La Opinion de Murcia newspaper he had just wanted to meet up with the woman because she had seemed unhappy and denied accusations that he was bullying or being sexist.

He said he had received about 300 calls, some encouraging him, others insulting him and threatening him.

He said if the woman didn't respond by Tuesday he would throw away his phone.

The number he posted didn't ring Friday.