SINGAPORE – An 84-year-old British woman, Dionne Marie Hanna, has been charged with fraud in Singapore following her appearance in the hit Netflix documentary Con Mum. This documentary tells the story of her alleged scam against her notable pastry chef son, Graham Hornigold, revealing the impact of her actions on his life.
According to court documents obtained by AFP, Hanna faces five counts of fraud involving three individuals. The documentary, released on March 25, reveals that she claimed to be Hornigold’s biological mother in an email, leading to their reunion. This connection allegedly resulted in Hanna scamming her son out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Surprisingly, a DNA test revealed that Hanna is indeed Hornigold’s biological mother, providing a shocking twist to the narrative presented in the film. In a recent court appearance held via videolink, Hanna was seen lying in a bed at Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore, although the reason for her hospitalization remains unclear at this time.
One specific charge against Hanna involved claiming to a man identified as Paiman Bin Supangat that she belonged to the Brunei royal family. She allegedly deceived him by stating she was suffering from terminal cancer and intended to pass on her wealth to him and his son.
In a statement, the Singapore police addressed the situation, confirming they had received multiple reports from alleged victims following the documentary’s release. Preliminary investigations indicate that Hanna is linked to at least five fraud cases, collectively resulting in losses exceeding $200,000. The police explained that victims were persuaded to make financial transfers for purported legal fees and to open overseas bank accounts, falsely believing they were engaging in genuine investments.
If found guilty of these fraud charges, Hanna faces severe penalties, including significant fines and a potential imprisonment term of up to 20 years. Her next court hearing is scheduled for April 11, where further developments in the case are expected.
