A word or multiple words to describe someone asking a question but not meaning to where the subjects know it from the start

The person may be trying to waylay you. Lexico has

waylay
VERB

Stop or interrupt (someone) and detain them in conversation or trouble them in some other way.
It is easy to imagine travellers being waylaid here, even now, so imagine what it must have been like in the 17th century..

If there is no motive, the person might be trying to strike up a conversation. Lexico has

strike up (or strike something up)
PHRASAL VERB

1.1 Begin a friendship or conversation with someone in a casual way.
he struck up a conversation with her in the lobby

It can also be called an opening gambit and a typical one for British people is

Do you think it will rain today?

when they have already seen the weather forecast.

In sales terms, this is known as an "in". Don't ask me how I know this as I have never been a salesperson.

Example

John: I'm good at closing deals but I have trouble making contacts in the first place.

Mary: What you need is an "in". Try to find something in common and chat about that for a while.

If you Google sales techniques You will see how devious some some of these techniques can.

So, your comment could be, "You're not being genuine. You're just trying to find an "in".

Unless people have sales training, they won't necessarily understand this term but a lot of con-artists have been salespeople at some time of their lives so they would understand it. If the person ask, "What's an in?", just say "Work it out for yourself" and walk away.