Narcissists often flip the script so convincingly that you start doubting your own reality, especially online where identities are easy to fake. The case of a “catfish mother” named Kendra Licari, tied to a Netflix project and labeled as “Munchausen by Internet,” shows how far some people will go to pose as the wounded party. These nine examples unpack how false victimhood becomes a weapon, and how you can spot it before you are pulled into the drama.
1) “The rise of ‘Munchausen by Internet’” and the catfish mother Kendra Licari – how a Netflix‑linked case turned fake suffering into a spotlight
The first example of narcissistic victim‑playing comes from the reporting on Kendra Licari’s “catfish mother” case, which is explicitly connected to Netflix and framed as “Munchausen by Internet.” In this account, a parent allegedly used online personas and fabricated distress to create the impression of being targeted and persecuted. Instead of owning harmful behavior, the focus shifted to her supposed suffering, inviting sympathy and attention.
For you, the stakes are clear, because this pattern shows how a narcissist can weaponize digital platforms to script themselves as the hero and the victim at once. When someone’s story keeps circling back to how cruelly they have been treated, while concrete facts point to them as the instigator, you are likely watching a similar performance.
2) When “Munchausen by Internet” becomes a script for victimhood – faking pain to look persecuted
The same reporting uses the term “Munchausen by Internet” to describe a specific pattern of deceptive online behavior built around fabricated victimhood. In this script, a person invents or exaggerates crises, illnesses, or harassment, then broadcasts those claims to an audience that is encouraged to feel outrage on their behalf. The digital setting makes it easy to spin elaborate narratives, complete with screenshots, anonymous accounts, and dramatic updates.
Once you understand that “Munchausen by Internet” is essentially a playbook for looking persecuted, you can see how narcissists exploit it. They position themselves as endlessly wronged, while anyone who questions inconsistencies is painted as cruel or abusive. That dynamic can quickly isolate you from allies and push you into the role of caretaker for someone who is not actually in danger.
3) A “rising” phenomenon of online martyrdom – why narcissistic catfishing is becoming more common
The report frames “Munchausen by Internet” as a rising phenomenon, not a one‑off curiosity. By describing the “rise” of this behavior, it signals that more people are using online spaces to stage martyrdom, often with increasingly sophisticated tactics. Social media rewards dramatic storytelling, and narcissists quickly learn that public displays of suffering can generate clicks, comments, and a steady stream of emotional reinforcement.
For you, that trend means the odds of encountering a false victim narrative are growing. What once might have been confined to anonymous message boards now spills into parenting groups, workplace chats, and community forums. Recognizing that this is a broader pattern, rather than an isolated oddity, helps you treat grandiose online sob stories with healthy skepticism instead of automatic belief.
4) Inside the “catfish mother” persona – exploiting parenting roles to sell a sob story
The “catfish mother” label in the Licari case links online deception directly to a family and parenting context, which makes the manipulation even more potent. By presenting herself as a beleaguered parent, a person can tap into powerful cultural scripts about mothers under siege, children in danger, and schools or communities failing to protect them. That framing encourages others to rally around her, often without checking the underlying facts.
When a narcissist leans on their role as a parent to sell a sob story, the emotional stakes for you skyrocket. You may feel that questioning their narrative is equivalent to abandoning a child. In reality, the “catfish mother” persona shows how parental status can be twisted into a shield that hides calculated cruelty behind a mask of maternal or paternal sacrifice.
5) Attention at any cost – how “Munchausen by Internet” turns sympathy into supply
The article associates “Munchausen by Internet” with attention‑seeking behavior, where faked or exaggerated suffering becomes a tool to gain sympathy. In clinical terms, the invented crises are not random; they are designed to keep the spotlight fixed on the storyteller. Every new twist, from alleged threats to sudden health scares, invites another wave of comforting messages and public validation.
Experts on narcissism note that narcissists tend to cast themselves as either the villain or the victim, but rarely admit which role they are actually playing. Online, that often means they present as endlessly wounded while quietly orchestrating the chaos. For you, the cost is emotional exhaustion and a distorted sense of responsibility, as you are pressured to keep proving your loyalty by responding to every new “emergency.”
6) From message boards to Netflix – when a fake victim narrative becomes entertainment
The reporting notes that the “catfish mother” story involving Kendra Licari attracted Netflix interest, showing how a fabricated victim narrative can escalate into a full‑blown spectacle. What began as deceptive online behavior within a community became compelling enough to be packaged as content for a global streaming audience. The very tactics used to mislead people in real time later become the hook that draws viewers.
For you, that trajectory highlights a disturbing feedback loop. When extreme narcissistic behavior is turned into entertainment, it can normalize the idea that elaborate lies and emotional harm are just gripping plot twists. It also reminds you that, behind every binge‑worthy scandal, there are real families and communities still dealing with the fallout.
7) Family collateral damage – how “Munchausen by Internet” warps parenting and trust
The piece appears in a lifestyle and family‑parenting section, underscoring that “Munchausen by Internet” is not just an abstract online issue, but one that directly affects family relationships and parenting dynamics. In the Licari case, the deceptive behavior unfolded within a context where children, co‑parents, and school communities were central. When a parent manufactures crises, the entire family system is pulled into a vortex of fear, confusion, and divided loyalties.
For you, the key risk is erosion of trust. Children may learn that attention is earned through drama, while partners and relatives become wary of sharing concerns in case they are twisted into another storyline. Over time, that environment can feel like walking through a minefield, where any normal disagreement might be reframed online as evidence of abuse or betrayal.
8) A recognizable pattern, not a one‑off – the telltale tactics of “Munchausen by Internet”
The article treats “Munchausen by Internet” as a specific, named pattern of conduct, implying that there are recognizable tactics and red flags. Common elements include fabricated crises that appear just as attention wanes, shifting stories when details are questioned, and a constant stream of dramatic updates that keep followers emotionally hooked. The behavior is systematic, not impulsive, and often involves multiple fake accounts or personas.
Once you see it as a pattern, you can start to protect yourself. Watch for people who seem to live in perpetual catastrophe, yet resist practical help or verification. Notice when every relationship in their life is framed as toxic except the ones that supply them with sympathy. Those are strong indicators that you are not dealing with bad luck, but with a rehearsed performance of victimhood.
9) The false victim as predator – what the “catfish mother” story reveals about online narcissists
The reporting presents the “Munchausen by Internet” and “catfish mother” case as a clear example of someone creating a false victim narrative online to manipulate others. By posing as the target of relentless harassment and suffering, the central figure gained power over how others behaved, what they believed, and whom they blamed. The supposed victim was, in practice, the architect of the harm.
For you, this final example drives home a hard truth: when narcissists pretend to be the victim, they often become predators in disguise. Their stories are not just misleading; they can trigger investigations, damage reputations, and traumatize children and communities. Recognizing the gap between claimed suffering and documented actions is your best defense against being cast as an unwitting extra in someone else’s manufactured tragedy.
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