Sweet Bobby's Simran Bhogal and her explanation for 10-year catfishing ordeal

Kirat Assi was involved in one of the longest-known catfishing scams in the UK (Image: Courtesy of Netflix 2024)

*Warning: Contains major spoilers for Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare*

A gripping new Netflix documentary called Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare has left viewers on the edge of their seats and some demanding a 'trigger warning'.

The film tells the tale of Kirat Assi, a London radio host who fell victim to one of the UK's longest-running catfishing scams, spanning nearly a decade.

The documentary is based on a popular investigative podcast of the same name. It follows Kirat's journey as she forms a relationship with a supposed cardiologist named Bobby Jandu on Facebook.

This online friendship blossomed into a romantic relationship and even an engagement, all without the pair ever meeting in person. While Bobby Jandu is indeed a real individual, the account Kirat was interacting with was a sham.

Bobby Jandu had no idea who Kirat was when she turned up at his door (Image: Netflix)

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In a shocking turn of events, the documentary reveals that the mastermind behind the fake Bobby Facebook account was none other than Kirat's cousin, Simran Bhogal. The truth came to light when Kirat hired a private investigator to find her elusive fiance's actual address after he consistently avoided meeting her, despite allegedly flying from New York to the UK for that very purpose, reports the Mirror.

Upon arriving at the given address, Kirat was met by a man named Bobby, but he wasn't the man she had been communicating with - despite bearing a striking resemblance to him. In her confusion, Kirat called Simran for support and handed the phone to the real Bobby, who was on the verge of contacting the police out of concern for his family's safety.

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Bobby's reasons for never meeting Kirat in person included being shot (Image: Netflix)

The threat of police intervention led Simran to finally confess that she was the person behind the Bobby account, a deception she maintained for nine years from 2009 to 2018.

Viewers have been left pondering why Simran initiated the deceit and why she sustained it for such a lengthy period. Although Simran does not feature in the Netflix documentary, a statement on her behalf emphasises that "she considers it a private matter and strongly objects to what she describes as numerous unfounded and damaging accusations."

The podcast Sweet Bobby provides some additional insight into the catfishing saga. Speaking to the podcast's host, journalist Alexi Mostrous, Kirat divulged the contents of a letter written to her by Simran as part of a civil case.

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"It was an emotional letter and it was all like she would change everything if she could and it was all very gushing and 'I'm sorry for all the hurt and pain I've caused', and all what you'd expect someone to say," she said.

"It was the same as what she said when she confessed, that she was in a dark place... She honestly believed we were both in a dark place and living in this alternative reality or this fantasy world that she created was bringing us both some kind of happiness or joy."

Sweet Bobby is now available to stream on Netflix

Sweet Bobby's Simran Bhogal and her explanation for 10-year catfishing ordeal

Sweet Bobby's Simran Bhogal and her explanation for 10-year catfishing ordeal

Sweet Bobby's Simran Bhogal and her explanation for 10-year catfishing ordeal

Sweet Bobby's Simran Bhogal and her explanation for 10-year catfishing ordeal

Sweet Bobby's Simran Bhogal and her explanation for 10-year catfishing ordeal