Where Is Simran Bhogal Now? The Shocking Truth Behind The 'Sweet Bobby' Catfish Scandal And Her Current Life

The name Simran Bhogal has become synonymous with one of the most elaborate and chilling catfishing schemes in modern history, a saga meticulously documented in the hit podcast and Netflix documentary, *Sweet Bobby*. This article, updated for December 2025, dives deep into the life of the woman who deceived her own cousin, Kirat Assi, for nearly a decade, exploring the psychological motives, the unprecedented legal fallout, and the most current information regarding her private life since the scandal broke. The truth behind the fake persona of "Bobby Jandu" and the subsequent legal battle has set a significant precedent in the UK, making Simran Bhogal's case a crucial study in digital deception. The search for Simran Bhogal's current whereabouts and professional life continues to be a topic of intense public curiosity, as she has maintained an extremely low profile following the explosive revelation of her deception. While she was never criminally charged, a landmark civil case brought by her victim has provided some measure of justice and closure, though the full extent of the psychological damage remains immeasurable.

Simran Bhogal: A Biographical Profile and The Catfish Identity

Simran Bhogal is primarily known as the perpetrator of the "Sweet Bobby" catfishing scheme. Unlike many public figures, her biography is largely defined by the scandal itself, as she was a private individual until her deception was exposed.

• Full Name: Simran Kaur Bhogal.
• Role in Scandal: Perpetrator of the 'Sweet Bobby' catfishing hoax.
• Victim: Her cousin, Kirat Assi (a London-based radio presenter).
• Location: She was known to reside in the Hounslow/Norwood Green area of West London.
• Education: Attended Heston Community School (approx. 2003 - 2010).
• Approximate Birth Year: 1991/1992.
• The Fake Persona: "Bobby Jandu," a handsome, successful, and charming doctor from New York.
• Duration of Deception: Approximately nine years (2009 to 2018/2019).
• Extent of Hoax: Created over 50 fake social media profiles and personas to maintain the illusion and manipulate her victim.

The relationship between Simran Bhogal and Kirat Assi was one of close family connection, which made the betrayal all the more profound. Simran used her intimate knowledge of Kirat's life, dreams, and vulnerabilities to construct the perfect, irresistible online persona in Bobby Jandu, a deception that evolved from a friendship to a deep romantic relationship and even a fake engagement. This sophisticated, multi-layered hoax involved coordinating dozens of fake characters—including Bobby's friends, family, and even other victims—to reinforce the false reality.

The Decade-Long Deception: How the 'Sweet Bobby' Catfish Scheme Unraveled

The catfishing scheme orchestrated by Simran Bhogal was a masterclass in psychological manipulation and digital puppetry. The 'Bobby Jandu' persona was not a simple fake profile; it was a complex, interconnected web of lies designed to isolate and control Kirat Assi. The deception began subtly, creating an online friendship that slowly blossomed into a passionate, long-distance relationship. Simran, as Bobby, used every excuse imaginable to avoid meeting Kirat in person, citing family issues, medical emergencies, and even claiming to be in a witness protection program. This constant emotional rollercoaster kept Kirat hooked, always on the verge of a real-life meeting that never materialized. The scheme reached an incredible level of complexity when Simran, as Bobby, fabricated life-and-death scenarios. This included claims of being seriously ill, being involved in a car accident, and even being targeted by a mysterious gang. These dramatic events were designed to elicit maximum emotional response, sympathy, and dedication from Kirat. The most shocking revelation was that Simran didn't just play *Bobby Jandu*; she also impersonated dozens of other people, including family members and friends of the fake doctor, to validate the lies and make the entire ecosystem of the deception appear real. The entire structure began to crumble when Kirat became suspicious of the inconsistencies in the story. After connecting with the *real* man whose photos were used for the Bobby Jandu profile, the truth was confirmed: the man had no idea who Kirat was. The final, devastating twist was the discovery that the person behind the entire, elaborate, nine-year deception was her own cousin, Simran Bhogal.

The Legal Fallout and Simran Bhogal's Current Status

The exposure of the 'Sweet Bobby' catfishing scandal led to a significant legal battle, which provides the most recent and concrete updates on Simran Bhogal's situation.

The Lack of Criminal Charges

Despite the severity and duration of the emotional abuse, Simran Bhogal was never criminally charged by the police. At the time Kirat Assi reported the case (around 2018), catfishing was not a specific criminal offense in the UK. This legal gap meant that law enforcement was unable to pursue the case under existing criminal statutes, leaving Kirat without criminal justice. This situation highlighted a major flaw in UK law regarding digital abuse and manipulation.

The Landmark Civil Case and Substantial Settlement

Seeking justice, Kirat Assi pursued a civil case against her cousin, Simran Bhogal, in 2020. This legal action was based on several key claims:

• Harassment: The constant stream of messages and manufactured crises constituted severe psychological harassment.
• Misuse of Private Information: Simran used private, personal details shared by Kirat to fuel the deception.
• Data Protection Breaches: The creation and use of numerous fake profiles and the handling of Kirat's information violated data protection laws.

The case of *Kirat Assi v Simran Kaur Bhogal* is believed to be the first successful civil claim in the UK related to catfishing. The case was ultimately settled out of court, with Kirat Assi receiving a substantial settlement from Simran Bhogal. This victory, while not a criminal conviction, was a major legal precedent and a significant acknowledgment of the harm inflicted.

Where Is Simran Bhogal Now?

Since the civil case settlement and the subsequent release of the globally popular *Sweet Bobby* podcast and Netflix documentary, Simran Bhogal has completely retreated from the public eye. * Low Profile: Simran has maintained a strict low profile, with very little concrete information known about her current whereabouts or activities. * Employment and Social Media: Reports indicate that she allegedly left her job shortly after the exposé and deleted all of her social media accounts. * Non-Participation: Simran Bhogal declined to participate in the production of the *Sweet Bobby* podcast or the Netflix documentary, choosing instead to remain silent on the matter. As of today, Simran Bhogal's life remains largely a mystery, a stark contrast to the very public ordeal of her victim. The lack of public statements or a known online presence suggests a deliberate attempt to disappear from the spotlight and avoid further scrutiny following the substantial financial and personal consequences of her actions.

The Psychology of Deception: Why Simran Bhogal Catfished Her Cousin

The question of "Why?" remains the most compelling and disturbing aspect of the *Sweet Bobby* case. Simran Bhogal has never offered a full, public explanation for her decade-long deception. However, psychological experts and observers have put forward several theories. One prominent theory suggests that Simran Bhogal was seeking a form of escapism. By creating the persona of "Bobby Jandu," she was able to step out of her own reality and live a different, more exciting life through her fictional proxy. This desire for escapism may have been rooted in deep personal dissatisfaction or a lack of fulfillment in her own life. Another possibility is that the catfishing was driven by a complex mix of control and attention. By controlling Kirat's emotional life and constantly being at the center of the drama as 'Bobby' or one of the other 50+ characters, Simran was able to gain a powerful sense of importance and attention she may have lacked otherwise. The constant crises and dramatic narratives kept her victim—and by extension, her own fabricated world—focused solely on her. Furthermore, the act of impersonating a male, successful figure like Bobby Jandu may have been a way for Simran to explore aspects of her own identity or desires that she felt unable to express in real life. The sheer persistence and complexity of the scheme highlight a level of dedication and psychological investment that goes beyond a simple prank, suggesting a deep-seated need to maintain the fantasy at all costs, regardless of the devastating impact on her own family member.