Netflix Doc Exposes Decade-Long Catfishing by Family Member

Netflix's latest true crime documentary, Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare, premiered on 16 October 2024, exposing one of the most prolonged catfishing cases in recent memory. Director Lyttanya Shannon brings to screen the extraordinary story of Kirat Assi, a British radio presenter whose personal life became the subject of an elaborate deception spanning nearly a decade.

The perpetrator was Simran Bhogal, Assi's own cousin, who created an entirely fictitious romantic partner named "Bobby Jandu." Under this false identity, Bhogal engaged in an extended campaign of emotional manipulation, maintaining the facade through continuous contact with Assi. The relationship between victim and perpetrator made this case uniquely complex—a betrayal not just of trust, but of family bonds.

For nearly 10 years, Assi believed she was in a genuine romantic relationship with Bobby Jandu, unaware that the person behind the messages was someone she knew. The deception only unraveled when Assi finally discovered the truth and began seeking accountability. What makes this case particularly significant is that when Assi initially reported the matter to police, catfishing itself was not illegal in the UK at that time. Investigators found themselves without legal tools to address the psychological harm Assi had endured.

Simran Bhogal's background adds another layer to the story. She had been employed as vice president at Barclays bank before leaving her position in 2021, a role suggesting both intelligence and professional standing. Yet despite her position, she spent years maintaining an elaborate fictional identity online, demonstrating the calculated nature of the deception.

With criminal avenues initially closed, Assi pursued civil action. In 2020, she successfully took legal action against her cousin, securing both a private apology from Bhogal and a financial payout. The civil case represented a crucial victory for Assi, though it highlighted gaps in the law regarding online harassment and catfishing. Following this resolution, Assi prompted police to reopen the criminal investigation.

Throughout her public accounts of the case, Assi has maintained a measured stance. Despite the severity of the betrayal, she has actively discouraged harassment toward Bhogal and other family members. Rather than seeking retribution, Assi has channelled her experience into advocacy for systemic change—pushing for stronger legal protections against catfishing and demanding reforms that would prevent others from enduring similar ordeals.

The documentary draws on material from a 2021 Tortoise Media podcast series of the same name, which originally brought widespread attention to Assi's experience. By adapting this story for Netflix, Shannon reaches a global audience with a case that speaks to vulnerabilities in our connected world. As people increasingly develop relationships online, the psychological tactics used by catfishers become ever more sophisticated, and the emotional damage increasingly documented.

Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare serves as both a personal account of betrayal and a broader commentary on the internet age. It raises uncomfortable questions about identity verification, digital trust, and the legal frameworks surrounding online deception. For Kirat Assi, the documentary represents not just a recounting of her trauma, but a platform for advocating change in how society handles such cases.

The film's release comes at a time when awareness of catfishing is growing, yet legal protections remain inconsistent across jurisdictions. Assi's story demonstrates why this matters—why the gap between what is morally wrong and what is legally punishable can have devastating real-world consequences.

**Sources:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_Bobby:_My_Catfish_Nightmare https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mMpxmRkQO0