A British woman accused of swindling multiple people, including her own son, to finance an extravagant lifestyle is now facing a major expansion of criminal charges in Singapore.
Dionne Marie Hanna, 85, was handed 34 additional charges on Thursday, bringing the total number of accusations against her to 39. Prosecutors allege that the Singapore resident deceived 14 victims out of more than S$800,000 in cash and goods through a series of false promises, emotional manipulation, and claims of royal wealth.
Hanna first drew global attention after appearing in the Netflix documentary Con Mum, which chronicled allegations that she manipulated her son and others after re-entering his life.
Charges widen as more alleged victims emerge
Singapore authorities say the number of complainants linked to the case has risen sharply since Hanna was first charged last year.
According to new charge sheets, Hanna allegedly persuaded one man to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on her behalf after telling him she would repay him and even make him her stepson.
Another charge alleges she convinced a woman to hand over money for so-called processing fees by promising luxury rewards, including Lexus and Aston Martin vehicles, as well as property in Sentosa Cove, one of Singapore’s most exclusive residential areas.
Prosecutors say many of the allegations follow a similar pattern. Hanna allegedly claimed she belonged to Brunei’s royal family, said she was terminally ill with cancer, and sought sympathy from targets before requesting help with urgent bills or outstanding payments.
She then allegedly promised reimbursement through an inheritance that never materialized.
Authorities say this mirrors the methods described in the first round of charges filed last year.
Earlier accusations involved men in Singapore and France
In the initial case, prosecutors accused Hanna of deceiving three men in Singapore and France into transferring money into her bank accounts.
She allegedly said the funds were needed for legal fees and to open new bank accounts. In exchange, she reportedly promised to donate millions of dollars to a mosque and a Muslim non profit organization in Singapore.
Investigators now allege the fraud was broader and more sustained than first believed.
The charge sheets state the offences took place between August 2024 and the end of March last year. All were allegedly committed in Singapore, although some incidents were said to have occurred partly outside the country.
Hanna now faces a range of charges including cheating and fraud by false representation. Some of those offences can carry substantial fines and prison terms of up to 20 years if she is convicted.
The story behind Con Mum
Public fascination with the case intensified after Con Mum was released on March 25.
The documentary centers on London pastry chef Graham Hornigold, who said Hanna contacted him claiming to be his long lost mother. A DNA test later confirmed that she was indeed his biological mother.
Hornigold, who has worked in Michelin starred restaurants, said he was initially skeptical but eventually formed a close relationship with Hanna.
According to the documentary, Hanna presented herself as a wealthy, illegitimate daughter of the Sultan of Brunei. She allegedly showered Hornigold, his then partner Heather Kaniuk, and their friends with gifts that included cars, homes, and lavish spending.
Over time, however, Hornigold said the generosity shifted into mounting demands. He alleged that he and others were left paying her growing expenses while she disappeared.
He claimed in the film that he lost around £300,000.
Although Hornigold is cited as one of Hanna’s alleged victims, his case is not currently before the Singapore courts.
Royal claims disputed
A central feature of the allegations is Hanna’s repeated claim that she had access to immense wealth through Brunei’s royal family.
Hornigold openly challenged those claims in the documentary, and no public evidence has emerged to substantiate them.
Investigators say the promise of future inheritance was key to persuading people to lend money or make purchases on her behalf.
Fraud specialists note that schemes built around wealth, illness, and exclusivity can be highly effective because they combine urgency with the promise of a dramatic reward.
Hanna’s case is expected to continue through Singapore’s legal system, where prosecutors are likely to present witness testimony, bank transfer records, and communications with complainants.
The addition of 34 new charges significantly raises the stakes and suggests authorities believe the alleged deception was more extensive than first understood.
For viewers who watched Con Mum as a shocking family drama, the unfolding prosecution has transformed the documentary into part of a much larger real world criminal case.
