Dionne Marie Hanna Faces 34 New Fraud Charges in Singapore, Total 39
Dionne Marie Hanna, a British woman previously charged with fraud in Singapore, now faces an additional 34 charges, escalating her total to 39. The 85-year-old, whose alleged activities were highlighted in the Netflix documentary 'Con Mum', was handed the new charges on Thursday. The number of alleged victims has now reached 14.
Among those allegedly defrauded is London-based pastry chef Graham Hornigold, Hanna's long-estranged son. Hanna is accused of deceiving victims by claiming an inheritance from Brunei's royal family, promising significant reimbursements for funds provided to her.
Allegations of Deception
New charge sheets detail allegations including Hanna tricking one man into paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses, with the promise of repayment and adoption. Another accusation states Hanna offered to purchase luxury cars, such as Lexus and Aston Martin models, and a property in Singapore's Sentosa Cove, in exchange for 'processing fees' from a woman.
Previously, Hanna faced accusations of deceiving three men in Singapore and France into transferring funds, claiming they were for legal fees and new bank accounts. She reportedly sought sympathy by alleging terminal illness and pledged millions to a mosque and a Muslim non-profit in Singapore from her purported royal inheritance.
Hanna faces multiple charges, including cheating and fraud by false representation, the latter carrying potential fines and jail terms of up to 20 years. Her pre-trial conference is scheduled for May.
'Con Mum', released on 25 March, documents Hornigold's reunion with Hanna in the UK. Though a DNA test confirmed their biological relationship, Hornigold disputes her claims of royalty. The documentary suggests Hanna had prior convictions in the UK for shoplifting and fraud. Hornigold stated in the film that he lost GBP#300,000 due to his mother's actions.
