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Dionne Marie Hanna, 84, from Netflix’s “Con Mum,” is charged with fraud in Singapore. She allegedly deceived victims, including her son, about an inheritance. She faces up to 20 years in jail.
Dionne Marie Hanna, aged 84, became the subject of police reports filed by her alleged victims after they watched the documentary “Con Mum”. (Photo:X)
The British woman, who is the focus of a Netflix documentary about how she allegedly deceived her son and left him in debt to support her lavish lifestyle, has been charged with fraud in Singapore.
Dionne Marie Hanna, aged 84, became the subject of police reports filed by her alleged victims after they watched the documentary “Con Mum,” according to local media reports cited by BBC. These victims accused the Singapore resident of taking their money by promising reimbursement through her supposed inheritance from Brunei’s royal family.
This scam mirrors the one she allegedly used on London pastry chef Graham Hornigold, whom she contacted in 2020, claiming to be his long-lost mother. A subsequent DNA test confirmed that Hanna was indeed Hornigold’s mother.
Charged with five counts of fraud, Hanna appeared before a district court via video link on Saturday. Channel NewsAsia reported that she was seen lying on a hospital bed, accompanied by an investigating officer.
She is accused of deceiving three men in Singapore and France into transferring money to her accounts, claiming the funds were needed for legal fees and the opening of new bank accounts. Hanna reportedly sought their sympathy by claiming she was terminally ill and promised to reimburse them through her supposed inheritance, asserting that she is part of Brunei’s royal family. Her son questions these claims in the documentary.
In return for their money, she also pledged to donate millions of dollars to a mosque and a Muslim non-profit organisation in Singapore, the court heard.
Although it is unclear exactly how much money her alleged victims lost, Singapore police said preliminary investigations indicate she is involved in at least five cases of cheating, with losses exceeding S$200,000 ($149,000; £115,400). If convicted, Hanna could face up to 20 years in jail and a fine.
Released on Netflix on 25 March, “Con Mum” follows Hornigold’s reunion with Ms. Hanna in the UK during the pandemic. Initially presenting herself as a wealthy, illegitimate daughter of the Sultan of Brunei, she showered Hornigold, his then-partner Heather Kaniuk, and his friends with lavish gifts, ranging from cars to homes.
Despite initial skepticism, Hornigold, who has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants and founded Longboys Doughnuts, quickly developed a close relationship with his mother. However, over time, Ms. Hanna began leaving Hornigold and his friends to cover her escalating bills—Hornigold stated in the film that he lost £300,000—while she disappeared.
The film suggests that Hanna had previously been convicted in the UK for shoplifting and fraud.
- Location :
Singapore, Singapore
