In this engaging discussion, Kirat Assi, a dynamic events operation manager and radio presenter, shares her harrowing journey of love and betrayal. The narrative reveals a seemingly innocent online romance with Bobby that spirals into deception and personal turmoil. Kirat reflects on her emotional bond with her cousin Simran and the impacts of tragedy on family dynamics. As secrets unravel, listeners are left grappling with themes of trust, grief, and the psychological effects of manipulation in relationships.
Kirat Assi's online relationship with Bobby evolves from platonic emotional support to manipulation, highlighting the complexities of trust in virtual connections.
The shocking revelation of betrayal and a catfishing scheme orchestrated by a close cousin underscores the psychological trauma that can arise from deceit.
Deep dives
The Illusion of a Romance
The story begins with Kearat Asi, a successful events manager and radio presenter, who starts interacting online with Bobby, the older brother of a recently deceased acquaintance. Their relationship initially appears to be a friendly exchange, as Bobby thanks Kearat for her kindness towards his brother but soon evolves into deeper emotional support after Bobby shares his own struggles with personal issues and an impending divorce. Despite Kearat maintaining a platonic view towards Bobby, their communication increases, leading to a complicated bond fueled by Bobby's tragic circumstances. As time goes on, Bobby's situation becomes increasingly severe, making Kearat feel obligated to support him, confused by his drastic health ups and downs that he uses to gain her sympathy.
Secrets Behind the Curtain
After several years of communicating mostly online, Kearat learns that Bobby has suffered life-threatening injuries in a shooting and is now in critical condition but seems to pull through miraculously. Their relationship develops further, eventually becoming romantic on Valentine's Day 2015, despite the fact that they had only met once in person. Kearat's emotional investment in Bobby grows, but she feels increasingly controlled and manipulated by him as he threatens self-harm whenever she pulls away. Meanwhile, Kearat's cousin Simran, who had previously been close to her, surprisingly journeys to the United States to visit Bobby, creating a bridge of reassurance for Kearat amidst her spiraling doubts.
The Web of Lies Unravels
The plot thickens when Kearat discovers that Bobby is not who he claims to be, leading her to hire a private investigator after weeks of refusals from Bobby to meet in person during his visit to the UK. Instead, Kearat confronts Bobby's alleged ex-wife, leading to a shocking realization that not only was Bobby alive and well, but also that he was being impersonated by Simran, who had orchestrated an elaborate scheme for years. Eventually, Simran confesses to Kearat that she had been posing as Bobby in a catfishing operation that created a web of deceit involving multiple fake personas, including family and medical professionals. The emotional devastation Kearat faces is immense as she realizes the toll the deception has taken on her life and mental well-being.
The Aftermath and Legal Battles
Following this revelation, Kearat struggles to reconcile her emotions, feeling betrayed not only by Simran but also by the system that fails to recognize the psychological trauma she's endured. As Simran appears to live a successful life, taking on high-powered roles and seemingly unimpacted by her actions, Kearat’s life and sense of self crumble, leading her to contact the police to press charges for the emotional abuse suffered due to the catfishing. Unfortunately, law enforcement indicates that such deception lacks legal repercussions, complicating Kearat's pursuit of justice. The ongoing emotional toll impacts Kearat significantly, leading to concerns over her mental health and a determination to seek accountability for the years manipulated and heartbroken by the deception.
Ep 191: A seemingly innocent online romance becomes a sinister plot with many shocking twists and turns
This is the Kirat Assi Story
Sources for Today's Episode:
The Guardian
The podcast “Sweet Bobby”
Vice News
Vogue
The Staffordshire Police Coercive Behavior Guide
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Credits:
Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
Produced by James Varga
Audio Editor, Jose Alfonzo
Script Editor, Abagail Belcastro
Music by Dessert Media
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