Victim of Catfish Predator Max Hollingsbee Speaks Out: “I Will Always Be Angry He Took My Innocence”

Published: 15 August 2025 — The English Chronicle Desk

A survivor of the prolific catfish offender Max Hollingsbee has shared her harrowing story, revealing the long-lasting impact of his crimes and her determination to help other victims. Immy, not her real name, described how Hollingsbee manipulated her as a vulnerable teenager, stealing her innocence and leaving emotional scars that she carries to this day.

Hollingsbee, 21, of Orient Circle, Lurgan, was sentenced in May to five years and two months in prison after admitting to numerous child sexual abuse offences involving multiple teenage girls. Investigations identified 14 victims and resulted in 42 charges against him. Immy’s initial complaint to the police ultimately exposed a wider network of abuse, uncovering crimes against many other girls.

Immy, from Surrey, was 15 when she met Hollingsbee on the Wizz app, where he used a fake profile and falsely claimed to be 16. “At the time I didn’t see anything wrong with it,” she said. “I was quite vulnerable. He made me feel special, like someone was seeing me. Now I know it was all part of his plan.”

Once Hollingsbee gained her trust, he began demanding explicit photographs, using flattery and manipulation to exploit her insecurities. Immy recalled feeling unable to refuse his instructions out of fear of losing attention. Hollingsbee even attempted to blackmail her, threatening to share images with others, and did send the photographs to one of her friends. Eventually, Immy confided in her mother, who provided crucial support in alerting authorities.

Following her disclosure, police arrested Hollingsbee in Northern Ireland and seized his devices, revealing thousands of images and videos of underage girls subjected to sexual abuse. The investigation highlighted the full extent of his predatory behavior, with victims identified through blackmail, social media hacking, and other manipulative tactics. Immy also assisted police in tracking Hollingsbee’s real identity using the BeReal app.

“The hardest part,” Immy said, “was knowing there were so many other girls who hadn’t said anything. They were sitting at home, terrified, and I knew how they felt. Quite a few of them were younger than me.” She added, “I am angry. I will always be angry at him for taking my innocence. He played on my vulnerability, and no 15-year-old should ever have to face that.”

Despite the trauma, Immy is determined to transform her experience into a force for good. She hopes to study psychology at university and work with young people, using her story to educate and protect other potential victims. “I want to go into schools and work with kids, using my experience to make something good out of a bad situation. I hope to make a difference,” she said.

Immy also expressed the hope that Hollingsbee will confront the consequences of his actions upon release. While she acknowledges the lasting effect of the abuse on her trust in others, she maintains a cautiously optimistic outlook: “Not everyone is like him. But it did take a toll. I’ve stopped a lot of people from having to deal with him, and I want to keep helping others.”

Her story underscores the devastating reach of online predatory behavior and highlights the importance of support networks, timely reporting, and education to prevent further abuse.