Kirat Assi’s Shocking Catfishing Story Exposed in Netflix’s Sweet Bobby.
Kirat Assi, a 43-year-old marketer and radio host from West London, became the center of one of the most shocking and infamous catfishing cases ever exposed. Her ordeal, which lasted over a decade, involved being deceived into a relationship with a fictitious man created by her own cousin, Simran Bhogal. The elaborate and painful scam was brought to light in the hit podcast Sweet Bobby, and it has since captivated listeners worldwide.
Kirat Assi’s Story
Kirat Assi lived a relatively ordinary life in West London, working as a marketer and radio presenter for Radio Desi, a Punjabi community radio program. In 2009, she innocently sent a condolence message on Facebook to a man named Bobby Jandu, who she believed was her cousin Simran’s ex-boyfriend’s brother. This simple act of kindness marked the beginning of a bizarre, decade-long relationship filled with lies, manipulation, and deceit.
SWEET BOBBY, a new documentary based on the popular podcast series, is coming soon to Netflix!
The film tells the story of how broadcaster Kirat Assi became embroiled in a complex web of deception that lasted for over a decade and involved over 60 fabricated characters. pic.twitter.com/xRqOXcWjdg
— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) September 4, 2024
Bobby, a seemingly successful cardiologist who claimed to live in Australia, gradually became a central figure in Kirat’s life. Over time, their relationship evolved from a friendship into what she thought was a romantic partnership. Despite never meeting in person or video chatting, they spoke regularly on the phone, and their conversations even became intimate. Bobby often told Kirat he was dealing with life-threatening situations, such as being shot or suffering from a brain tumor, adding layers of emotional complexity to the relationship.
The Shocking Revelation
As their relationship grew, Bobby’s behavior became increasingly controlling and coercive, causing Kirat severe emotional distress and even physical health problems. Over time, she began to feel trapped and isolated, with the strain of the relationship taking a toll on her mental health.
After years of turmoil, Kirat hired a private investigator in an attempt to uncover Bobby’s true identity. What she found was more shocking than she could have imagined: Bobby never existed. The person behind the fictitious character was her own cousin, Simran Bhogal. For over 10 years, Simran had been orchestrating the deception, fabricating Bobby’s entire existence and manipulating Kirat’s emotions.
Simran eventually confessed the truth to Kirat in person, saying, “It was all me,” leaving Kirat devastated and in disbelief. The confession brought an abrupt and painful end to a decade of manipulation. Simran claimed her actions stemmed from a family dispute that began when she was still in school, but the emotional damage caused to Kirat was immeasurable.
Despite the shocking revelation, Simran faced no criminal charges, as catfishing is not considered illegal in the UK. However, Kirat pursued a civil case against her cousin in 2020. The case was eventually settled out of court, with Simran issuing a formal apology in a letter. While the legal battle concluded, the emotional scars left on Kirat remain deep.
Through her website, Kirat Assi shares her story and offers support to others who have fallen victim to catfishing. Her experience serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of online deception and the devastating effects it can have on people’s lives.
Sweet Bobby Podcast and Netflix Documentary
Kirat’s ordeal was first made public through the Sweet Bobby podcast, a gripping six-part series hosted by journalist Alexi Mostrous. The podcast quickly gained international attention, as listeners were shocked by the elaborate nature of the scam and the personal betrayal involved. The podcast’s popularity helped bring widespread awareness to the issue of catfishing, and now, Netflix has adapted the story into a documentary, further exploring the complexities of Kirat’s case.
Kirat Assi’s journey is one of resilience in the face of unimaginable deception. Her willingness to share her story has not only brought attention to the issue of online fraud but has also offered hope and resources to others who have experienced similar nightmares. Her case, now viral, is a reminder of the vulnerability that comes with digital relationships and the importance of safeguarding oneself online.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I’m Shivam Kumar. I’m pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day….