The Most Insane Catfish Episodes of All Time, Ranked

The following content includes mentions of murder, suicide, bullying, violence, and sexual misconduct.

With its dramatic premise, the series is designed to captivate, but the most astonishing Catfish episodes are filled with unexpected twists that surpass all others. Nev Schulman, unaware of the impact his independent documentary Catfish would have in 2010, achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. The film gave a name to a previously neglected issue that was steadily growing within society due to the rise of the internet. Schulman was a pioneer in shedding light on the common occurrence of strangers deceiving unsuspecting victims into emotionally-charged relationships online.

"Whitney & Bre" — Season 4, Episode 7

Schulman's documentary was extremely successful, leading to his recruitment by MTV for a TV series. This series involves Schulman answering requests from individuals who are searching for the true identities of their online partners. Known as Catfish, this reality show has consistently achieved high ratings on MTV. Each episode focuses on Schulman and his partner, who change with each season, as they delve deep into one particular relationship. Their main objective is to uncover the true identity of the person behind the catfishing. While some episodes reveal honest individuals, the most shocking moments on Catfish expose those who are unapologetic, deceptive, and even involved in various criminal activities.

The Catfish episode that left audiences in shock was unlike any other, as it unveiled a sinister plot conceived by the two individuals at the center. Neither Whitney nor Bre could be labeled as victims in this intriguing storyline. Seeking assistance from Nev and Max, Whitney was determined to confront her infatuation with Bre, a woman residing in California. This deceitful twist brought unprecedented levels of intrigue to the show, but it can be argued that their actions were justified.

Whitney declared that Bre would never engage in video chats and neither had the means to meet each other, a common characteristic of catfishing scenarios. However, it transpired that they had been engaging in video chats all along, and their intention was to arrange a meeting with the assistance of Catfish, as they were unable to afford plane tickets. The revelation was just as astounding for Nev and Max as it was for the viewers, leaving both of them bewildered as Bre and Whitney confessed their elaborate plan.

"Alfred & Adonis" — Season 8, Episode 2

"Alfred & Adonis" featured one of the most intense confrontations in the history of Catfish, making it one of the most shocking episodes. Nev and his co-host Kamie met up with Alfred in North Carolina, who recently ended a toxic six-year relationship with his ex, Antonnio. Alfred found solace on Facebook in a man named Adonis, but their bond was strained as Adonis consistently refused to engage in video chats or phone calls, prompting Alfred to reach out to Catfish for help.

"Lucas & Many" — Season 5, Episode 13

The audience was left in astonishment when they discovered that Adonis turned out to be Antonnio, Alfred's former partner, who had created a false profile almost a year prior to their breakup. If this revelation wasn't enough evidence of their toxic relationship, Antonnio and Alfred engaged in an intense and violent confrontation during the revelation. However, even physical altercations couldn't keep the two apart, and they ultimately reconciled and got back together.

The duo of Lucas and Many became widely known during one of the most highly acclaimed seasons of Catfish. Among the numerous captivating episodes, one in particular stands out, involving Jayme, a former Playboy model and dancer. Jayme's growing doubts about her online suitor, whom she initially connected with on Tinder, were validated. However, Nev, Max, and Jayme were completely unaware of the extent and gravity of the individual's criminal activities.

"Ramon & Paola" — Season 2, Episode 3

The shocking aspect of Jayme's story lies in its resemblance to the experiences of several other victims. During Max and Nev's investigation into Jayme's catfish, they uncover accounts from a few other women who have also been engaged in conversations with him. It becomes apparent that he has been manipulating numerous individuals online. What transpires next is a profoundly cathartic and gratifying climax, as all the victims have the opportunity to directly confront the catfish.

During a particularly jaw-dropping episode of Catfish, Ramon found himself entangled in a web of deceit after believing he had found love with a woman named Paola on Facebook. Their connection took a twisted turn when Paola began exhibiting classic catfishing behavior, involving bizarre Skype calls and manipulative requests for money and gifts. Regrettably, like countless others in similar online relationships, Ramon succumbed to her deceptive tactics and ended up giving her everything she asked for, and then some.

"Tracie & Sammie" — Season 3, Episode 5

He subsequently confessed to catching a fleeting glimpse of her face and figure on Skype before she promptly concealed herself once again, adamantly acknowledging that she bore no resemblance to the girl depicted in the photographs she had shared. Nevertheless, he was unwilling to accept this truth. In a truly astonishing turn of events, it was later discovered that the true girl — Loyda — had divulged every intimate detail about herself, including her driver's license and authentic images of her, yet he remained obstinately oblivious to these revelations. The combination of his delusion and her complete disregard for the money he had bestowed upon her transformed this into a captivating spectacle.

This episode of Catfish is not like the others that shock viewers, as it involves a famous person. Tracie Thoms (Rent), an actress, becomes suspicious of Sammie, a devoted fan, due to unsettling revelations about Sammie's life. In an attempt to gain sympathy, Sammie resorts to faking their own death. To unravel the truth, Thoms seeks the help of Nev and Max, and what they uncover is absolutely riveting.

"Falesha & Jacqueline" — Season 4, Episode 13

To everyone's surprise, it turned out that Sammie was actually a woman named Jacqueline. What made matters worse was the revelation that Jacqueline had deceitfully tricked numerous other individuals through catfishing, and shockingly, she took pleasure in her manipulative actions. With no remorse whatsoever, Jacqueline relished in tormenting not only Thoms but also others online, displaying a disturbing tendency towards bullying. She shamelessly boasted about her predatory deeds, exhibiting a complete refusal to offer any apologies for her calculated and cruel behavior.

"Falesha & Jacqueline" is not only one of the most outstanding episodes in the history of Catfish but also among the most shocking ones. This episode stands out, much like "Tracie & Sammie," because it doesn't revolve around a romantic relationship. Instead, Falesha falls victim to a form of identity theft. Someone has been appropriating Falesha's photos and using them to create a profile under the name "Jacqueline." This imposter has been spreading hate, causing drama, and engaging in online vitriol.

As it turned out, locating the perpetrator, Tracey Barbie, proved to be relatively easy. However, Tracey has gained notoriety as one of the most disturbing catfish profiles in history. Her reaction to being exposed was deeply unsettling. Tracey showed no remorse for the harm she had caused to Falesha's life and reputation. She appeared to lack a true understanding of the gravity of her actions, leaving even Nev speechless at certain moments.

"Candic & Titus" — Season 5, Episode 16

In a mind-boggling turn of events, one of the most shocking Catfish episodes reveals a twist that is truly unbelievable. Meet Candic, a 27-year-old wife and mother who finds herself entangled in an intriguing online relationship with a man she first encountered on a retail app she utilized for work. Their initial connection revolved around a handbag she was selling, gradually leading to consistent communication. Despite being in a committed relationship, Candic seeks the indispensable help of Catfish to unravel the mystery of Titus.

She had anticipated meeting him with the assistance of Nev and Max — all while keeping it a secret from her spouse. Viewers were left speechless when "Titus" unveiled his true identity. By the conclusion of the episode, it was disclosed that the person she had been conversing with was actually her husband all along, who wished to grow closer to his wife. Ultimately, it did bring them closer together, albeit in a questionable manner.

"Catfish: The Untold Stories Part 10" — Season 6 Special Episode

Nev's plight in one of the most shocking episodes of Catfish evokes sympathy from audiences. In a surprising twist during Season 6, Catfish treated viewers to two special episodes titled "Catfish: The Untold Stories." These unique installments shed light on catfish who deviated from the typical individuals featured in the show. Among the captivating narratives, Part 10 of The Untold Stories stands out as an unforgettable chapter.

Catfish is inspired by the documentary that features host Nev Schulman's unfortunate experience with an online manipulator. In this special episode, Nev once again becomes a victim of a catfish. He had remotely hired someone to assist him with managing his personal social media accounts, but little did he know that the catfisher had ulterior motives. The person behind the catfish impersonated Nev, sending messages to people he knew and even starting online relationships pretending to be him. It's astonishing to think that the individual who coined the term would fall prey to such deception once more, but it serves as a stark reminder of the truly malicious nature of catfishing.

"Kayla & Courtney" — Season 5, Episode 10

This episode of Catfish deviates from the show's usual focus on romantic relationships. However, what sets it apart as one of the most shocking episodes is its exploration of the supernatural and the possibility of communicating with the deceased. Meet Kayla, a young woman burdened with a tragic history. When she was just a toddler, her father, who suffered from mental health issues, took the life of her pregnant mother in a horrifying act of violence.

"Lucille & Kidd Cole" — Season 3, Episode 4

Several years later, he tragically ended his life while incarcerated. However, a woman by the name of Courtney made startling claims about her alleged communication with Kayla's late father, whom she had never met. Astonishingly, Courtney possessed knowledge about him that very few people were aware of, leaving audiences perplexed. Surprisingly, even Nev and Max, who were considered experts in these situations, had their perspectives transformed by the end of the episode.

Due to ongoing legal issues involving the catfish, one of the most shocking Catfish episodes is no longer able to be aired. Surprisingly, some of the most intense Catfish episodes have nothing to do with romantic relationships. In the case of Lucille and Kidd Cole, their connection was purely a business partnership. Lucille stumbled upon Kidd Cole's music on SoundCloud and decided to reach out to him.

The two formed a friendship, and through a string of deceptions, Lucille ended up losing a significant amount of money. Eventually, it was revealed that he was not actually the renowned music producer he had claimed to be. Nev's frustration with Lucille's lack of interest in his questions led to Nev himself throwing Lucille's phone into the nearby river. This moment became the basis for numerous Catfish memes, particularly the one portraying Nev discarding Kidd Cole's phone. It stands as one of the rare instances where the typically composed host lost his temper due to the catfish's indifference and absence of remorse.

"Keyonnah & Bow Wow" — Season 2, Episode 14

One recurring issue on the show Catfish revolves around individuals who genuinely believe they are engaged in an online romantic relationship with a well-known celebrity. Interestingly enough, these celebrities often refuse to engage in video chats or phone calls. Keyonnah, a participant in one especially shocking episode of Catfish, found herself ensnared by this unfortunate scenario. She firmly believed she was in a romantic relationship with the famous rapper Lil Bow Wow. Though it later turned out that the person she was interacting with was not Lil Bow Wow, the relationship appeared remarkably real due to the fact that the catfisher, at one point, sent Keyonnah a substantial sum of $10,000.

Keyonnah's episode featured one of the most unforgettable instances of catfishing on the series. The individual who claimed to be the renowned rapper turned out to be Dee, a young woman who succeeded in convincing Keyonnah that she was none other than Lil Bow Wow. When it was revealed that Keyonnah had been deceived into receiving $10,000 from her catfish, audience members found themselves on the brink of believing that the relationship might have been authentic. As viewers eagerly cheered for Keyonnah to finally meet her beloved celebrity from childhood, their hopes were dashed when Dee unexpectedly showed up.

"Sheila & Rich Dollaz" — Season 7, Episode 21

Sheila fell victim to a disturbing case of sexual misconduct in a shocking episode of Catfish. As a devoted fan of Love & Hip Hop star Rich Dollaz, she was deeply moved by an emotional episode where he bared his soul. Inspired to connect with the real person behind the celebrity, she reached out to him via Instagram's direct messaging feature to introduce herself.

After a period of eight months engaging on Instagram, wherein Rich Dollaz primarily requested explicit photos of Sheila, she sought assistance from the Catfish team. Shockingly, it was unveiled that the individual behind the account and the one exploiting its authority was none other than the nephew of the celebrity. The distressing part is that the nephew exhibited no remorse for his actions of soliciting photos from Sheila. Most unsettlingly, he found the entire situation to be entertaining.

"Catfish: The Untold Stories Part 9" — Season 6 Special Episode

"Catfish: The Untold Stories Part 9" stands out as one of the top-rated shows on IMDb. Unlike most episodes of Catfish, this particular installment takes a unique approach to storytelling. Rather than relying solely on documentary footage, Part 9 introduces staged reenactments alongside interviews with individuals sharing their catfish experiences.

"Kristina & Faith" — Season 7, Episode 30

The episode does not possess the same level of intensity as a story filmed in real-time, but it highlights some of the most peculiar catfish stories of the series. One of the most astonishing episodes of Catfish presents three distinct narratives, each increasingly wilder than the previous one. Each tale takes the viewer on an emotional rollercoaster, with reveals that are shockingly unbelievable and others that lead to a more triumphant resolution.

Kristina initially contacted Catfish with awareness of the complexity of her situation, leading to one of the most astonishing episodes ever aired. At the time, Kristina was engaged to Sami but also engaged in an online relationship with Faith, a woman she had met in a chat room. Despite never receiving a last name or engaging in video chats, Kristina was prepared to jeopardize her engagement in order to uncover Faith's true identity.

There was a great deal of commotion that ensued, leading to Catfish's involvement, as Sami ended her engagement while still residing with Kristina. However, the most shocking revelation for viewers occurred when Faith's true identity was disclosed. It later transpired that Sami had been posing as Faith all along, while they were all stranded in the location where Faith was supposed to be. Similar to "Candic & Titus" or "Alfred & Adonis," the notion that Kristina's catfish turned out to be her own partner was initially too unbelievable to fathom.

"Gemini & Myranda" — Season 8, Episode 10

The shocking aspect of the "Gemini & Myranda" Catfish episode lies in the fact that the catfish had previously appeared on the show. In one of the later seasons, viewers are introduced to a man named Gemini who had been engaged in a seven-year conversation with a woman named Myranda, who claimed to be beautiful. However, it was eventually revealed that Myranda was not who she claimed to be and had previously deceived others as a repeat catfish.

"Artis & Jess" — Season 2, Episode 9

In the latest episode of Catfish season 8 premiere titled "Red & Jalissa," the true identity of the catfish is finally unveiled. It turns out to be none other than Ashley Taylor, who had previously insulted Nev's cohost, Kamie, and deceived Red using multiple fake profiles. In an unusual twist, Nev and Kamie decide to take matters into their own hands and arrange an intervention for Ashley. They bring together two of Ashley's closest "friends," or rather, victims, Gemini and Red. It is quite rare to witness the return of a catfisher on the show, but Ashley's case was certainly exceptional.

Artis, another participant on Catfish, was willing to take a gamble for the woman he believed he loved, despite never meeting her in person. This woman, Jess, was the focus of one of the most astonishing episodes of the show. While Artis was already in a committed relationship, he continued an online relationship with Jess, who claimed to be a model. He took a considerable risk by seeking help from Catfish, as it jeopardized not only his current relationship but also his role as a father to his children.

"Antwane & Tony" — Season 3, Episode 2

: It turns out that Jess was actually Justin, a man who sees himself as a kind of crusader. He educates men who cheat on their partners by tricking them online, a practice known as catfishing. The most fascinating part of the episode was Justin's reaction when his deceit was exposed. However, what sets this Catfish episode apart as one of the most shocking is the possibility that the entire situation was fabricated. Artis and Justin hinted behind the scenes that they orchestrated the event to gain publicity on MTV.

This Catfish episode is notorious for being one of the most shocking in the series. Antwane had been in an online relationship with his boyfriend Tony for three years before seeking help from Nev and Max. Antwane's cousin Carmen joins them on a complex and twisted journey, leading to a reveal that left audiences screaming at their television sets.

In the end, it was revealed that Antwane's cousin Carmen was the one behind the catfishing. Carmen's motive for pretending to be Tony and manipulating Antwane for three years was to get back at him for body-shaming her in the past. Although Carmen was deeply affected by the insult, her decision to carry out this elaborate plan and even deceive the Catfish crew was excessive. While Antwane was at fault for what he said to Carmen, it did not warrant a three-year-long scheme to seek revenge.

"Spencer & Katy" — Season 5, Episode 15

The burden of cognitive dissonance can sometimes become overwhelming, causing victims of catfishing to choose belief in a falsehood over facing the harsh reality. In a truly shocking episode of Catfish, Spencer found himself convinced that he was engaged in a romantic relationship with none other than Katy Perry, the renowned American Idol judge and global pop sensation. This belief had persisted for a significant period of six years, during which Spencer had even prepared an engagement ring for his imagined lover. However, the truth of who Spencer had been communicating with was uncovered by the Catfish co-hosts, Nev and Max.

Instead of Katy Perry, he was actually engaging with a girl named Harriet from England. Despite Nev and Max exposing the truth, he adamantly refused to accept it. The Catfish team went as far as flying Harriet to the United States in order to confront Spencer, but he stubbornly insisted that the whole situation was an elaborate prank orchestrated by Katy Perry herself. Even after the Catfish episode aired, Spencer continued to send messages to Harriet, fully convinced that she was indeed Katy Perry. This particular instance remains one of the most unforgettable and potentially the most heart-wrenching catfish stories in the history of the series.