In 2011, Kirat Assi is on a dance floor in Brighton when she sees a man she recognizes immediately.
His name is Bobby Jandu. She's seen his face on Facebook for months. They've been messaging. They have a connection. They come from overlapping circles. So Kirat walks toward him, says his name, and introduces herself. But Bobby looks confused.
“Who?”
It feels strange. But not strange enough to become a warning.
This is Part One of Sweet Bobby, a true-crime story about long-form catfishing and how an online relationship can feel real when an entire world seems to confirm it. Bobby didn't appear as a random stranger in Kirat's life. He came with mutual connections, community ties, family names, medical updates, Facebook profiles, relatives, and friends. And whenever something about his story seemed impossible, there was usually someone else who could explain it.
Over time, their friendship became something more. There were late-night calls. Plans for marriage. A future Kirat believed they were building together. But there was one thing missing...
Bobby himself.
For years, every time reality left a gap, Bobby's world seemed to find a way to fill it. And eventually, Kirat received something she could actually hold in her hands. Something that made the relationship feel more real than ever.
But how long can you believe in someone you've never truly been able to reach?
Content warning: Long-form catfishing, emotional manipulation, coercive control, medical deception, and psychological distress. Listener discretion advised.
Hosted by Frank Battiston. Produced by Daniel Urdanivia. A PowerTale Podcasts production.
Stay Aware · Stay Present · Stay Safe.
","author_name":"Frank Battiston • PowerTale Podcasts"}