Woman, 84, at the centre of the ‘Con Mum’ Netflix doco charged

The woman at the centre of an explosive new show detailing a man losing everything after being reunited with his birth mum has been charged.

An 84-year-old British woman at the centre of an explosive new Netflix doco that claims she scammed her son out of over $630,000 has been charged with multiple counts of fraud in Singapore.

Alleged victims of Dionne Marie Hanna, 84, filed a series of police reports after watching Con Mum on the streaming platform accusing the elderly woman of stealing their money under the promise of being reimbursed when she receives her inheritance from Brunei’s royal family, the BBC reports.

It’s the same scheme Ms Hanna allegedly used on her long-lost son, Graham Hornigold,

after she contacted him in 2020 claiming to be dying of cancer, according to the new Netflix show released on March 25.

Con Mum details how the pastry chef’s life was turned upside following his reunion with his birth mother, causing him to lose everything – including his then-partner Heather Kaniuk, a New Zealand pastry chef he met working in a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Dionne Marie Hanna, 84, was at the centre of the new Con Mum Netflix doco. Picture: Supplied

Ms Hanna presented herself as a wealthy, illegitimate daughter of the sultan of Brunei, initially showering Mr Hornigold, Ms Kaniuk and his friends with lavish gifts, from cars to homes.

Though initially sceptical, Mr Hornigold quickly developed an intense bond with his biological mum, only for her to allegedly then con him out of his £300,000 (about $636,000 Australian Dollars) savings and ultimately leave his life in tatters.

The new charges in Singapore claim Ms Hanna employed similar tactics to those shown in the documentary against them, The Independent reports.

These include allegedly falsely claiming to be ill with cancer and stating that she wants to give away her fabricated fortune.

She has been charged with five counts of fraud in Singapore after alleged victims recognised her on the show. Picture: Supplied

It details how her son Graham Hornigold lost everything – including his partner – when Ms Hanna came into his life in 2020. Picture: Supplied

If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in jail and a fine. Picture: Supplied

She also reportedly invoked ties to the Brunei royal family and promises of large donations to mosques and community services.

In order for her to “receive” her inheritance or support her charitable goals, she allegedly convinced people to transfer money for things like legal fees or the opening of overseas bank accounts, Channel News Asia added.

The victims are said to have believed her story and sent her money, thinking they would be reimbursed once her inheritance was released.

But after recognising her on Con Mum, many contacted police to report being defrauded, Singapore police said.

Ms Hanna was charged with five counts of fraud and appeared before a district court on Saturday via video link, South China Morning Post reports.

In the video, she was reportedly seen lying on a hospital bed, accompanied by an investigating officer.

If convicted, Ms Hanna faces up to 20 years in jail and a fine.

Originally published as Woman, 84, at the centre of the ‘Con Mum’ Netflix doco charged