Netflix's Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare scandal sparks debate

As true crime fans, we’ve seen our fair share of wild Netflix stories, but Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare is on another level. This jaw-dropping documentary peels back the layers of a nearly decade-long deception that turned London radio host Kirat Assi’s life upside down. After years of emotional investment, Kirat discovered that “Bobby,” her supposed soulmate and fiancé, was a figment of her cousin Simran’s imagination. But now, fans are torn over where the blame truly lies.

Is Simran a manipulative villain who deserves punishment for an extended psychological “prank,” or is Kirat partly to blame for never meeting Bobby in person over all those years? It’s a loaded question, one that’s sparked heated discussions among fans, and Sweet Bobby forces us to confront how far someone can be deceived in a digital age where so many of our relationships begin — and sometimes end — online.

The case against Simran

The details of this story are chilling. Simran didn’t just create a single fake account; she wove an entire narrative of Bobby’s life, complete with a cast of supporting characters to deepen the illusion. Bobby’s mysterious illnesses, family crises, and countless obstacles — all of these were carefully curated to keep Kirat emotionally invested and convinced that her digital love story was real.

Many fans argue that Simran should be held accountable, seeing her actions as a form of long-term psychological abuse. This wasn’t just a misunderstanding or a brief deception; it was a sustained manipulation designed to keep Kirat under control. The depth of planning involved suggests a sinister motive, one that may even warrant legal consequences.

In an age when mental health is front and center, the emotional toll this took on Kirat cannot be dismissed. For these fans, Simran’s behavior isn’t just morally wrong; it’s abusive and predatory, making her the clear villain of this story.

The case against Kirat

Yet some viewers see Kirat’s willingness to believe as a factor in her own downfall. Nine years is a long time to maintain a relationship purely through text, video chats that mysteriously never worked, and countless excuses for missed in-person meetings. Some fans argue that, at a certain point, personal responsibility kicks in, particularly in matters of love. They believe Kirat’s trust may have been a bit too blind and that skepticism could have spared her some heartache.

While we empathize with Kirat’s desire to believe in Bobby, especially as he was portrayed as sharing her cultural background and values, some fans feel she overlooked too many red flags. From Bobby’s mysterious health issues to constantly delayed plans, these signs of trouble make them question how she stayed committed to a love she’d never truly “seen.”

Sweet Bobby as a cautionary tale

At the end of the day, Sweet Bobby doesn’t offer easy answers. Whether you believe Simran deserves punishment or that Kirat’s choices played a role, the documentary is a brutal reminder of the potential pitfalls of online intimacy. It shines a light on the vulnerability that comes with digital relationships, showing that even smart, capable people can be deeply deceived when they trust the wrong person.

What Sweet Bobby has given us, aside from one of the most shocking catfishing stories to date, is a chance to reflect on our own boundaries and expectations in digital relationships. It’s easy to see ourselves in Kirat, as someone who just wanted to love and be loved, only to have that dream shattered by someone who should have had her back.

So, where do you stand? Should Simran be held accountable, or is Kirat’s own naiveté partly to blame? Because if Sweet Bobby proves anything, it’s that the truth isn’t always black and white.

Watch Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare only on Netflix.