5 Shocking Facts About 'Sweet Bobby' Simran Bhogal And The Decade-Long Catfish Nightmare

The "Sweet Bobby" scandal remains one of the most astonishing and complex catfishing cases of the modern era, captivating millions through a chart-topping podcast and a subsequent Netflix documentary. As of December 2025, public curiosity is still intensely focused on the two central figures: the victim, Kirat Assi, and the perpetrator, Simran Bhogal, whose actions under the guise of "Bobby Jandu" destroyed nearly a decade of her cousin's life. The story is a chilling reminder of how digital deception can be wielded by those closest to you.

The name "Sweet Bobby Simran" is a conflation of the fake online persona, "Sweet Bobby" (or Bobby Jandu), and the real-life catfisher, Simran Bhogal. The true story, which began in 2009, involves a sophisticated web of lies, manipulation, and over 60 fake social media profiles, orchestrated by one woman against her own cousin, all of which led to a shocking revelation and a significant legal battle.

The Catfisher: Simran Bhogal's Profile and Biography

Simran Bhogal is the woman who was revealed to be the mastermind behind the decade-long catfishing scheme targeting her cousin, Kirat Assi. While she has maintained an extremely low profile since the story broke, here is a breakdown of her known details and role in the scandal:

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• Full Name: Simran Bhogal (also known by the fake persona "Bobby Jandu").
• Relationship to Victim: She is the female cousin of the victim, Kirat Assi.
• The Catfish Persona: She created and maintained the elaborate fake identity of "Bobby Jandu," a fictional male doctor living in New York.
• Duration of Deception: Approximately ten years, from 2009 until the scheme was uncovered around 2018.
• Scope of Deception: Bhogal used over 60 fake profiles to communicate with Kirat, often impersonating friends, family members, and even Bobby Jandu's own family, to give the illusion of a real, supportive network.
• Professional Life: She was reported to have held a high-powered job in London before the scandal came to light.
• Legal Outcome: Simran Bhogal was never criminally charged by the police. However, Kirat Assi pursued a civil case against her, which was eventually settled out of court.
• Current Status: Her current whereabouts and professional activities are unknown, as she has successfully managed to keep a very low profile following the public exposure of her actions.

The Mechanics of the Catfish: How Simran Bhogal Maintained the Lie

The sheer scale and duration of Simran Bhogal's deception are what set the "Sweet Bobby" case apart from typical online scams. It wasn't just a simple fake profile; it was a carefully constructed, decade-long alternate reality that deeply embedded itself into Kirat Assi's life.

Bhogal's technique involved creating a sprawling network of fictional characters. These included Bobby Jandu's friends, family, and even his ex-girlfriend, all of whom would interact with Kirat, vouch for "Bobby," and maintain the illusion of his existence.

The commitment was extraordinary. Simran would reportedly stay up all night on the phone with Kirat, sometimes even texting her as "Bobby" while she was physically in the same room. This level of control extended to managing emotional relationships, crises, and even fabricated life-or-death situations for the fictional "Bobby." The emotional toll on Kirat Assi was immense, leading to a deep psychological trauma as she navigated the complexities of a relationship that only existed in Simran’s imagination.

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The story gained international attention when journalist Alexi Mostrous and Tortoise Media produced the multi-award-winning *Sweet Bobby* podcast in 2021. This was followed by the Netflix documentary, *Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare*, which brought the shocking true story to an even wider global audience.

The Aftermath and Simran Bhogal's Current Status

Following the shocking confession and the subsequent public exposure, the focus shifted to the legal and personal fallout for both Simran Bhogal and Kirat Assi.

The Legal Ramifications

Despite the severity and duration of the emotional abuse, Simran Bhogal was not criminally charged by the UK police when Kirat Assi first reported the catfishing in 2018. This is a common issue in catfishing cases, as the legal framework often struggles to define the specific crime when no financial fraud or explicit threats are involved.

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However, Kirat Assi did pursue a civil case against her cousin. The case was eventually settled out of court, with Kirat receiving a financial settlement. This was a significant step for Kirat, providing some measure of justice and closure outside of the criminal justice system.

Simran Bhogal’s Disappearance

Since the civil settlement and the massive publicity generated by the podcast and Netflix show, Simran Bhogal has almost completely vanished from the public eye. Reports indicate that she "left" her high-powered job, likely due to the scandal.

Her current whereabouts are unknown, and she has maintained a complete social media blackout. This deliberate low profile has only fueled public fascination and the enduring question: why did she do it? The podcast and documentary explore various theories, including potential jealousy, control, and a deep-seated need for attention, but Simran herself has never publicly offered a full explanation for her actions.

Kirat Assi's Journey to Healing and Advocacy

The true heart of the "Sweet Bobby" story is Kirat Assi's resilience. After spending a decade in a fabricated relationship, she had to endure the trauma of the revelation and the subsequent legal battle. Today, Kirat has become an advocate, using her experience to help others who have been victims of catfishing and online deception.

She has spoken openly about her healing process, the difficulties of trusting people again, and her decision to share her story to raise awareness. Kirat's journey from victim to survivor, as documented in the media, serves as a crucial warning about the dangers of highly sophisticated digital manipulation. Her courage in sharing such a deeply personal and painful experience is a testament to her strength and a powerful reminder that catfishing is a form of emotional abuse with devastating real-world consequences.