The Full Biography and Profile of Dionne Marie Hanna
The woman at the center of the 'Con Mum' scandal has a life story as complex and layered as the cons she ran. Her profile is a critical piece of the puzzle, revealing a pattern of deception that predates her most famous victim.
- Full Name: Dionne Marie Hanna (also known by other names).
- Age: 84 years old (at the time of her arrest in 2025).
- Nationality: British National.
- Place of Birth: Malaysia.
- Criminal History: Documented history of deception and fraud, including a prior prison sentence in the United Kingdom.
- Primary Victim: Graham Hornigold, a celebrated British pastry chef who has appeared on TV shows such as Masterchef: The Professionals.
- Relationship to Victim: Biological mother to Graham Hornigold, whom he was reunited with after being adopted at the age of two.
- Latest Legal Status: Arrested and charged in Singapore in March/April 2025.
Five Shocking Facts That Reveal the Con Mum's Deception
The story of Dionne Marie Hanna is not just a simple case of fraud; it is a profound tale of psychological manipulation and calculated financial abuse. These five facts highlight the truly shocking nature of her crimes and the extent of her duplicity.
1. She Scammed Her Own Son Out of Nearly £300,000
The core of the "Con Mum" documentary revolves around Hanna’s relationship with her son, Graham Hornigold. After being adopted as a toddler, Hornigold—now a successful pastry chef—reunited with his biological mother, Dionne. This reunion was not a heartwarming family story but a calculated setup. Hanna allegedly defrauded him of a staggering amount, reported to be nearly £300,000. The money was taken under various pretexts, exploiting the emotional vulnerability of a son eager to reconnect with his biological mother. This level of financial abuse by a parent against a child is what truly sets the case apart.
2. The Netflix Documentary Led Directly to Her 2025 Arrest
In a dramatic twist that underscores the power of true-crime media, Dionne Marie Hanna was arrested in Singapore shortly after the Netflix documentary, Con Mum, debuted in early 2025. Reports indicate that the renewed attention and the global reach of the streaming platform played a direct role in her apprehension. She was arrested on March 28, 2025, after the documentary’s release, highlighting the immediate and real-world consequences of her story becoming public.
3. Her Fraudulent Activity Continued Even in Her 80s
Despite being 84 years old at the time of her arrest, Hanna’s alleged criminal activity was not a distant memory. Court documents reveal that the offenses she was charged with in Singapore allegedly occurred in February and March of 2025, just weeks before her apprehension. This indicates a continuous pattern of fraudulent behavior, suggesting that her cons were a deeply ingrained lifestyle, not an isolated incident. She was charged with five counts of fraud by false representation involving three alleged victims in Singapore.
4. The Con Was Based on Exploiting Emotional Vulnerability
The psychological dimension of Hanna’s con is arguably the most disturbing element. The documentary details how she leveraged the deep-seated desire of an adopted son to connect with his biological roots. She used the title of "mother" as a tool for manipulation, a classic tactic in financial abuse where the victim’s trust is absolute. This form of emotional gaslighting and manipulation can leave victims with long-lasting psychological trauma, affecting their ability to trust others, particularly family members, long after the financial losses are recovered.
5. She Was Offered S$50,000 Bail in Singapore
Following her arrest and charging, Dionne Marie Hanna appeared before the Singapore State Courts via video link, initially from a hospital bed and later from remand. She was offered bail set at S$50,000 (approximately £29,400 or US$37,000). The legal proceedings are ongoing, with her case being a high-profile example of how international fraud and the subsequent media coverage can lead to swift, decisive legal action, even for offenses committed in a foreign jurisdiction. The deeper probe into her charges indicates that the full extent of her alleged cons may still be coming to light.
The Long-Term Impact on Graham Hornigold and Other Victims
The consequences of the "Con Mum's" actions extend far beyond the financial loss. For Graham Hornigold, the professional pastry chef, the ordeal was a highly public and personal betrayal. The experience of being scammed by a parent can be psychologically devastating, leading to profound issues with trust and self-worth.
Hornigold's decision to participate in the Netflix documentary, Con Mum, serves as a powerful testament to his desire to expose the truth and prevent others from falling victim to similar scams. The documentary itself became a crucial piece of evidence, not only detailing the deception against him but also potentially leading to the identification of other victims, culminating in the formal charges brought against Hanna in Singapore. The case of Dionne Marie Hanna is a stark reminder that con artists can be anyone, even those with the most trusted title: a mother.
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