Simran Bhogal managed to deceive her cousin, Kirat Assi, for nearly ten years by leading her to believe she was involved in an online romance with a supposed cardiologist named Bobby Jandu.
The new true-crime documentary on Netflix, titled Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare, is set to debut on October 16, 2024. The purpose of this documentary is to educate internet users and help prevent similar scams, like the one that affected radio host Kirat Assi in the UK.
Throughout the film, Kirat will share her experience of how her cousin Simran effectively wasted years of her life. Viewers can expect an in-depth look at Simran Bhogal, who played the role of the family deceiver. The synopsis for Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare reveals:
“When an online friendship turns into genuine love, Kirat embarks on a journey of investigation to uncover the reality of her enigmatic fiancé, Bobby. This tale, inspired by a popular podcast, showcases a romantic fantasy that spiraled into a nightmare.”
Currently, Simran Bhogal resides with her family in North West London.
What actions did Simran Bhogal take?
Simran Bhogal created a false identity under the name Bobby Jandu and maintained a deceptive online profile through which she communicated with her cousin Kirat Assi for many years. The catfishing began in 2010 via Facebook, and reportedly, Bhogal even established multiple fake accounts claiming to be Bobby’s relatives and acquaintances to further convince Kirat of the authenticity of her online relationship.
After years of communication, Kirat decided to officially date Bobby in 2015. Despite her persistent requests, Bobby, who communicated through messages and voice notes, consistently refused to engage in video calls.
As their relationship progressed, Bobby’s behavior became abusive in their conversations, prompting Kirat to take action. Eager to finally meet the man she thought she knew, Kirat hired a private investigator to track Bobby down. The investigation shocked her, revealing that the real Bobby had no connection to her and that all online profiles were fabricated.
In 2018, Kirat filed a case requesting an inquiry into the matter, but no significant progress was made until 2020. It was only when law enforcement got involved that Bhogal visited Kirat’s home and confessed that she had been impersonating Bobby all along.
Kirat recounted her reaction to Mail Online, stating:
“She (Simran Bhogal) only admitted it when the police intervened. She came over and said, ‘It was all me.’ At first, I was confused by her statement. Then she explained that she was Bobby. It took a moment for it to sink in.”
Did Simran Bhogal face imprisonment for her actions?
Simran did not face jail time for her catfishing, as it is not classified as a criminal offense in the UK. Consequently, no legal charges were brought against her. Nevertheless, to provide some semblance of justice for Kirat Assi, a civil lawsuit was filed against Bhogal, requiring her to write a letter of apology and cover Kirat’s legal costs as well as compensatory expenses.
In addition to the written apology, Simran stated:
“I no longer possess any communications between myself and Ms. Assi, and I have not been in contact with her for several years…”
For further insights into this story, be sure to watch Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare, launching on Netflix on October 16, 2024.
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