this guy and I dated a couple of times before he moved city, attraction was strong but distance made us drift apart. I know he has liked me a long time, we have known each other 2 years.

5 months later distance is not an issue, we meet again and I find out through his friend that he is dating some girl (not me), the guy I dated says 'it's nothing'.. after knowing this, I stop all communication, and I tell him that I noticed I always have to email him first, which he laughs off (btw: he thinks that I may have a boyfriend, and I don't know if this influences the actions to follow.. )

2 weeks after the meeting, he random emails and after small talk, tells me he has a girlfriend! So quick? After telling me it was nothing serious? Well this is what is confusing me.. 1 week after telling me he has a girlfriend, he now forwards me jokes, emails etc as if to keep in touch or something, like having an excuse to talk? He didn't do this before, He even emails to see what I am up to.

Why is he doing this? Does he feel sorry for me or am I his backup plan?
Are his actions confusing or is it just me? I wonder if he would tell me he has a girlfriend only to make me jealous because he thought I have a boyfriend? Is that even a possibility?

You assume there's more to what he says and does that what he presents. The more likely reality is that he's presenting things exactly as they are and there's nothing more here to figure out.

So, it is very likely you're confusing yourself and driving yourself nuts trying to figure out what isn't there to figure out at all.

If you want there to be more between you two, shake off these thoughts of "intrigue" and just deal with him like he's an honest, straightforward person.

You are just on his list of forward addresses to send emails to.

It seems he's one of those people that makes decisions on selfish needs and doesn't look at the big picture. He moved away and he doesn't have you there so he'll just find another one. And by emailing you and telling you about it, your jealousy makes him feel better about himself.

Possibly, but either way let him go his own way and you go yours. He doesn't seem to be worth all the drama.