Netflix’s ‘Con Mum’ Star Charged with Fraud in Singapore After Alleged Inheritance Scam
The British woman at the center of Netflix’s gripping documentary Con Mum is now facing serious legal consequences in Singapore. Dionne Marie Hanna, 84, has been officially charged with fraud after multiple victims came forward alleging she duped them out of over S$200,000 ($149,000) using a false inheritance story tied to Brunei’s royal family.
The case gained momentum after viewers of Con Mum—released on Netflix on 25 March—recognized Hanna and filed police reports, accusing her of running a similar scheme in Singapore.
According to Singapore authorities, Hanna allegedly tricked three men in Singapore and France by claiming she was terminally ill and needed money for legal fees and to open overseas bank accounts. In exchange, she promised reimbursement through a vast royal inheritance and even pledged to donate millions to a mosque and Muslim charity.
The same deceptive narrative was shown in the documentary, where Hanna reached out to London-based Michelin-starred pastry chef Graham Hornigold in 2020, claiming to be his long-lost mother. A DNA test later confirmed her claim. Initially welcomed with open arms, she soon left Hornigold and his inner circle in deep debt, vanishing after racking up luxury expenses in their names. Hornigold revealed he lost £300,000.
During a court hearing in Singapore on Saturday, Hanna appeared via video from a hospital bed. Local reports state she faces five counts of cheating and, if convicted, could receive up to 20 years in prison and a fine.
Preliminary investigations indicate she may be involved in additional fraud cases. Authorities are still determining the total extent of the alleged financial damage.
Con Mum documents not only Hanna’s deceit but also explores how emotional manipulation and trust can be exploited in the most personal of ways. It also hints at Hanna’s previous convictions in the UK for fraud and shoplifting—making her a repeat offender with a long trail of financial deception.
As her story transitions from Netflix’s true-crime spotlight to a high-stakes legal battle, victims, viewers, and legal authorities alike are closely watching what comes next for the woman behind one of streaming’s most shocking family betrayals.
