In a dramatic turn of events following her portrayal in the Netflix documentary "Con Mum," British national Dionne Marie Hanna, 84, has been charged with multiple fraud offenses in Singapore.

The notorious con artist was presented in Singapore's State Courts on April 5, appearing via videolink from her hospital bed as she faces serious allegations of deceit.

Hanna was arrested on March 28, just days after the release of "Con Mum," which tells the harrowing tale of her deceitful actions towards her son, ultimately leading him into financial turmoil. In a sit-down with the streaming platform, the documentary details how she re-entered her son's life, claiming to be his long-lost mother while manipulating him for financial gain.

In this latest court appearance, Hanna, seemingly frail and dressed in a striped hospital shirt, was unrepresented and received five counts of fraud by false representation linked to three separate victims.

According to police reports, her alleged schemes ventured beyond simply preying on her son; they involved defrauding victims through false promises of lucrative investment opportunities and inheritance entitlements, which never materialized.

Web of Deceit Spanning Borders

The charges against Hanna detail two offenses committed in France, where she reportedly manipulated a man named Paiman Supangat into paying hefty legal fees under false pretenses of establishing a bank account.

The court filings indicate that Hanna misled Supangat about her intentions to repay a loan meant to fund her extravagant lifestyle.

Back in Singapore, from February 17 to March 10, she spun an elaborate tale claiming ties to the Brunei royal family, even asserting that she was terminally ill with cancer.

This false narrative allegedly convinced local victim Mohamed Syafiq Paiman that she wanted to share her wealth with him.

In another instance, she is accused of swindling S$2 million intended for charitable groups, tricking a third victim, Mr. Mohamed Ariffin Mohamed Kawaja Kamaludin, at the luxurious Grand Hyatt hotel in Singapore.

Victims have reported losses exceeding S$200,000 as the police link her to at least five fraudulent cases.

The compelling yet tragic life story of Mr. Hornigold, whose relationship was severely impacted by Hanna's schemes, lends a surreal quality to the entire saga, with many seeing the documentary as a catalyst for the police investigations that followed.

A Notorious Reputation and Possible Sentencing

Prosecutors have successfully requested a week’s remand for Hanna to allow for further investigations into related offenses once she is discharged from Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison, hefty fines, or a combination of both—an outcome that looms heavily over her as her case is set for a follow-up on April 11.

As the curtain rises on this disturbing tale of betrayal, it underscores how real-life stories can blur the lines of fact and fiction, leaving victims grappling with the emotional and financial fallout of deceit, and viewers shockingly entertained yet horrified by the realities of con artistry.

Stay tuned as this story unfolds!