Kirat Assi, a resident of the UK, experienced a prolonged catfishing ordeal that is now the focal point of Netflix’s upcoming documentary, Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare. Viewers can catch it on the platform starting October 16, 2024.
This docuseries aims to shed light on the devastating effects of catfishing scams, which can severely impact victims on mental, emotional, and physical levels. Kirat Assi’s story is a poignant example; she initially connected with her online partner, Bobby, on Facebook. After years of virtual interactions, she discovered that ‘Bobby’ was merely a fabricated identity.
Upon uncovering the deception, Assi sought the assistance of law enforcement. It was then that her distant cousin, Simran Bhogal, admitted to assuming the identity of Bobby. Despite the revelations, no legal action was taken against Simran, as catfishing is not classified as a criminal offense in the UK.
5 Important Facts about Kirat Assi’s Catfishing Experience in Relation to Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare
1) Kirat and Bobby Engaged in a Lengthy Long-Distance Relationship
According to the Daily Mail, Kirat and Bobby met on Facebook in 2010 and cultivated a deep friendship over the ensuing years. By 2015, their relationship had evolved into an online romance, characterized by nightly phone calls. Kirat even mentioned that she would fall asleep to the sound of Bobby’s breath over the phone. It was during this period that she also shared explicit images with him.
2) Bobby’s Family and Friends were All Fabricated Characters
After realizing the extent of her catfishing experience, Kirat discovered that not only had Bobby’s persona been fake, but also the 50 profiles of individuals claiming to be his friends and relatives were purely fictional.
3) Bobby Faked His Death Multiple Times
In November 2013, Kirat received a message informing her that Bobby had been fatally shot and was in a coma. By 2014, she was told he had died. However, soon after, she received another email claiming that Bobby was alive and involved in a witness protection program. Later in 2015, Kirat was informed that Bobby had also experienced a brain tumor and a stroke.
4) Kirat Met the Real Bobby in 2012
The Daily Mail reported that Kirat had a real-life encounter with Bobby at a nightclub in 2011, but he appeared to be oblivious to her presence. Reflecting on this meeting, Kirat shared:
‘It was a hen night, and I was not expecting him to be there, but I recognized him from his Facebook picture. I approached him, and he seemed distant. I thought maybe he had too much to drink but later realized he couldn’t even hear me.’
If Kirat had forced a conversation that night, she might have uncovered the truth about her situation much earlier.
5) Kirat Confronted the Real Bobby in 2018
In 2018, seeking to learn more about her online partner, Kirat hired a private investigator. This led to a visit to Bobby’s home in Brighton, where she confirmed her fears about being a victim of catfishing. When she knocked on his door and greeted him, Bobby responded with:
‘I don’t know who you are.’
For further insights into Kirat Assi’s harrowing catfishing saga, don’t miss Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare on Netflix.
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