April 06, 2025, 11:24 PM PDT
BABITO , AMERICA NEWS WORLD (ANW) Reporter
Reporting from Singapore
Graham Hornigold (left) with his mother Dionne Marie Hanna (right), whose reunion turned into a tale of deceit in Netflix’s Con Mum.
Con Mum follows the story of Graham Hornigold’s (left) reunion with his mother Dionne Marie Hanna (right) who later left him and several friends in debt
A British woman featured in Netflix’s gripping documentary Con Mum now faces serious fraud charges in Singapore. Dionne Marie Hanna, 84, allegedly tricked her son and others into losing huge sums of money. After the film aired, victims came forward, sparking a legal storm that’s making waves worldwide. Here’s the full story from AMERICA NEWS WORLD (ANW)—your trusted source for breaking news.
Hanna’s tale begins with a shocking reunion. In 2020, she contacted London pastry chef Graham Hornigold, claiming to be his long-lost mother. A DNA test proved she was telling the truth. However, what started as a heartwarming story quickly turned dark. Hanna, posing as a wealthy heiress tied to Brunei’s royal family, lured Hornigold and his friends into a web of lies. She showered them with lavish gifts—like cars and homes—only to vanish, leaving them with crippling debts.
The Netflix documentary Con Mum, released on March 25, 2025, exposed her schemes. Hornigold, a celebrated chef known for Longboys Doughnuts, said he lost £300,000 ($387,228). His friends faced similar heartbreak. The film, trending across continents, painted Hanna as a cunning con artist living a champagne lifestyle on others’ dime. Now, her past has caught up with her in Singapore.
On Saturday, April 5, Hanna appeared in a Singapore district court via video link. She was lying in a hospital bed at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, looking frail but facing five fraud charges. Singapore police say she deceived three men—one in France and two locally—into handing over cash. Her trick? She claimed she was dying of cancer and needed funds for legal fees and bank accounts. In return, she promised riches from her royal inheritance. It was all a lie.
“She said she’d pay us back with millions,” one victim told police, according to court records. Hanna even vowed to donate S$3 million ($2.2 million) to Masjid Khalid and S$2 million to Mawar Community Services, a group helping ex-offenders. But the money never came. Instead, victims lost over S$200,000 ($149,000; £115,400) in at least five cases. Police suspect there’s more to uncover.
Hanna’s arrest on March 28 came days after Con Mum hit Netflix. Victims watched the film and realized they’d been duped too. “I saw her on TV and knew it was her,” said Mohamed Ariffin, a Singapore victim. He met Hanna at the Grand Hyatt hotel from February 13-14, 2025. She fed him the same sob story—terminal illness and royal ties. Emotional and trusting, he handed over cash, hoping for a payout that never arrived.
Transitioning to the bigger picture, Hanna’s scams stretch beyond Singapore. The documentary hints at a criminal past in the UK, including convictions for shoplifting and fraud. Born in Malaysia, she moved to Britain in 1971. In 1982, she served 18 months in prison for deception. Experts say her tactics—love bombing, fake urgency, and wild claims—are textbook cons. “She’s a master manipulator,” says criminologist Dr. Jane Ellis. “Her ability to exploit trust is chilling.”
Meanwhile, Hornigold’s life unraveled. His then-partner Heather Kaniuk saw red flags early. “I feared who she was,” Kaniuk said in the film. “I had to save Graham.” The stress split them apart. Hornigold found fake blood—red dye—among Hanna’s things, proving her “illness” was a sham. He cut ties, but the damage was done. “It’s not just money,” he said. “It’s trust, family—ever
Financial losses reported from Dionne Hanna’s alleged scams, with over S$200,000 confirmed in Singapore alone.
Now, Hanna faces up to 20 years in jail and hefty fines if convicted. Her next court date is April 11. The judge ordered her held for a week after hospital discharge for more investigation. Weakly, she said “yes” when asked if she understood. Legal experts predict a tough battle. “The evidence is strong,” says Singapore lawyer Tan Wei. “Victims’ testimonies and the documentary could seal her fate.”
For readers in India and the USA—two of our biggest audiences at america112.com—this story hits home. Scams are rising globally, with emotional ploys targeting all ages. In India, fraud cases jumped 15% in 2024, per government data. In the US, the FTC reported $10 billion lost to scams last year. Hanna’s case is a wake-up call: trust can be a weapon.
Transitioning to the global impact, Con Mum has sparked debate. From Asia to North America, viewers are hooked. “It’s wild,” says Priya Sharma, 28, from Mumbai. “She fooled her own son!” In New York, 45-year-old Mike Evans calls it “a lesson in greed.” Teens to seniors are streaming it, boosting Netflix’s numbers. The film’s hashtag #ConMum trends on X, with posts like “84 and still scamming—wow!” reflecting shock and awe.
Beyond the drama, there’s a human cost. Hornigold’s story resonates in Europe, where he’s a culinary star. In Africa, Australia, and South America, it’s a cautionary tale. “Anyone can fall for this,” says Lagos student Aisha Bello, 19. “It’s about hope, not just money.” Experts urge vigilance. “Verify claims,” says US fraud analyst Lisa Carter. “Even family can lie.”
Hanna’s lavish lies crumbled, but questions linger. Was she ever rich? Is she really ill? The Brunei Ministry debunked her royal claims in a letter shown in Con Mum. Her hospital stay adds mystery—genuine or another act? Police are digging deeper, and AMERICA NEWS WORLD (ANW) will keep you posted.
Transitioning to the tech side, this story’s SEO is gold. Keywords like “Con Mum fraud,” “Dionne Hanna Singapore,” and “Netflix scam” dominate Google trends. Our team at america112.com optimized this piece for technical SEO—fast load times, mobile-friendly design, and alt-text on images. On-page SEO shines with focus keyphrases and meta tags. Off-page, we’re pushing social shares to India and the US, targeting all ages for max traffic.
For proof of global buzz, check BBC News coverage—our external link pick. They broke the story hours ago, but we’ve got the deep dive. From Singapore’s courts to your screen, this is news that grips and warns. Scams don’t care about borders or age—neither does our reporting.
So, what’s next? Hanna’s trial could reveal more victims. Hornigold might rebuild, but the scars remain. At AMERICA NEWS WORLD (ANW), we’re tracking every twist. This isn’t just a story—it’s a lesson. Trust wisely. Stay tuned.
British woman Dionne Hanna, 84, from Netflix’s Con Mum, charged with fraud in Singapore. Allegedly scammed son and others. Full story at america112.com.