Who is Kirat Assi? The woman at the heart of Netflix's Sweet Bobby and an unbelievable catfishing scandal
London resident Kirat Assi's decade-long online romance with a man named "Bobby" unraveled into a shocking catfishing scheme masterminded by a close relative. This mind-bending story of betrayal and deception is now at the center of Netflix's documentary Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare. But, who is Kirat Assi?
In 2009, Kirat Assi was like any other woman, navigating life and hoping to find love. But what unfolded over a decade is truly astonishing. Living in London, she sent a Facebook message to Bobby, the brother of her cousin Simran's ex-boyfriend¡ªan ordinary condolence message after his brother's passing. This innocent exchange soon blossomed into a decade-long romance. However, what seemed like a love story turned into a nightmare that no one could have foreseen. The truth behind this relationship, the shocking motives, and the mastermind behind it all are now exposed in Netflix's gripping documentary, Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare.
But, who is Kirat Assi?
Kirat Assi, also known as Harkirat Kaur Assi, was living a seemingly ordinary life in West London in 2009.
Credit: X/ @JustKirat | Harkirat Kaur Assi
She worked as an arts and events assistant at Hounslow Community Services, and was also a radio presenter on Radio Desi, a programme for London's Punjabi community.
Kirat's tale of betrayal first came to light in the Sweet Bobby podcast, hosted by journalist Alexi Mostrous of Tortoise Media in a riveting six-part series.
Through her website, Kirat not only shares her harrowing experience of being catfished but also provides support for others who have faced similar nightmares.
Yet, despite the high-profile exposure, much about her life remains shrouded in mystery¡ªmaking her story all the more intriguing.
What is Kirat Assi's 'Sweet Bobby' catfishing story?
For Kirat Assi, everything changed in 2010 when a Facebook message from "Bobby," a cardiologist, sparked what seemed like a promising friendship.
Over time, their bond deepened, eventually evolving into a romantic relationship - but she had never ended up meeting Bobby, despite close encounters.
As the years passed, the relationship grew increasingly toxic, leaving Assi in emotional turmoil.
After a decade of waiting to meet the man she had fallen for, Kirat finally tracked down the real Bobby¡ªonly to uncover a shocking truth: her Bobby had never existed.
Credit: X/ @JustKirat
The person behind the elaborate deception was none other than her own cousin, Simran Bhogal.
In a moment that left Kirat stunned, Simran confessed the truth face-to-face. "She came to my house. She stood there and said: 'It was all me.' I didn't know what she meant, at first. She said she was Bobby. I still didn't get it," Kirat recounted to the Mail Online.
Despite the emotional devastation, Simran faced no criminal charges, as catfishing is not illegal in the UK.
However, Kirat pursued a civil case in 2020, which was settled out of court. The settlement included an apology letter from Simran, who explained her actions as a "family dispute" that began when she was just a schoolgirl.
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Srishti B Dutta brings you everything from rags-to-riches tales and inspiring student success stories to those "No way, this can't be real!" moments. Whether it's intriguing, heartwarming, or just plain quirky, she's got it covered.
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