A British woman at the centre of a Netflix documentary has been formally charged in Singapore for allegedly scamming multiple victims in a series of deception cases involving more than S$200,000 (approximately US$149,000).
Dionne Marie Hanna, 84, was produced in the State Courts on Saturday, 5 April, via videolink while lying in a hospital bed. Dressed in a striped shirt, she appeared weak and was accompanied by an investigating officer. Hanna is currently unrepresented by legal counsel.
She faces five charges of fraud by false representation under Section 424A of Singapore’s Penal Code 1871. The charges carry a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine, or both.
Her arrest on 28 March came days after the Netflix documentary Con Mum premiered globally.
Victims in Singapore recognised Hanna as the woman portrayed in the film and filed police reports alleging they had been cheated by her under similar circumstances.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) stated that victims were allegedly lured into transferring money to Hanna under the pretext of legal fees and the opening of overseas bank accounts. Hanna promised returns from purported investment schemes or reimbursement from a fictitious inheritance.
Believing these claims, the victims transferred significant amounts of money. According to SPF, five victims have been identified so far, with total losses amounting to more than S$200,000.
During the court hearing, prosecutors requested that Hanna be remanded for a week following her discharge from Tan Tock Seng Hospital. They also sought permission to take her out for further investigations into similar offences. Both applications were granted, according to a report by CNA.
When asked if she understood the proceedings, Hanna responded with a faint “yes.” Her case is scheduled to be mentioned again on 11 April 2025.
Con Mum, directed by Nick Green, explores Hanna’s alleged long-standing pattern of deception, including the high-profile case involving British pastry chef Graham Hornigold. The film recounts how Hanna, using the name Dionne Hornigold, contacted Hornigold in 2020 claiming to be his biological mother.
Despite initial scepticism, Hornigold agreed to meet her, particularly after she demonstrated knowledge of personal family details. A DNA test later confirmed with 99.9% certainty that she was indeed his mother. Soon after, Hanna claimed to be terminally ill and portrayed herself as a wealthy businesswoman, staying in luxury hotels and gifting Hornigold expensive items—including cars for both him and his pregnant partner.
However, as shown in the documentary, those gifts were paid for by Hornigold himself, based on promises that she would reimburse him once her funds were made available. The COVID-19 pandemic was cited as an excuse for the delays.
The scam cost Hornigold dearly—not only financially, but emotionally. His partner, Heather Kaniuk, left him and returned to New Zealand with their child. As the story unravelled, Kaniuk discovered other victims, including a man from Indonesia who had paid Hanna US$40,000 for a pilgrimage to Mecca that never occurred.
Con Mum also uncovered Hanna’s earlier criminal record. A 1982 news article identified her as a woman previously convicted in the United Kingdom for obtaining cash and jewellery through deception. She was born in Malaysia and moved to the UK in 1971. In 1980, she was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for similar fraudulent activity.
Claims made by Hanna throughout the years—including that she was related to the Sultan of Brunei—were debunked. A formal letter shown in the documentary from the Brunei Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that no such person was linked to the royal family.
Her purported terminal illness has also come under scrutiny. In the film, Hornigold questions the authenticity of medical evidence provided by Hanna, including photos suspected to have been manipulated using red food dye.
The charges now filed in Singapore mark the latest chapter in a decades-long trail of deception and legal proceedings linked to Hanna. Further investigations are expected to determine if additional victims may come forward.
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