TV Chef Scammed by Con Mum out of £100,000

Graham Hornigold, a renowned TV chef and former Junior Bake Off judge, has shared his shocking story of being scammed by his biological mother, Dionne, out of £100,000, resulting in the loss of his home, partner, and unborn child.

Hornigold, 45, was adopted at two years old and grew up never knowing his mother. In 2020, Dionne, claiming to be a multi-millionaire, reached out to him via email, saying she was dying of cancer and needed help with expenses. Hornigold, who was in a happy relationship with his partner Heather and expecting a child, transferred £100,000 to his mother over 15 months, covering hotel stays and designer gifts. However, Dionne was not a millionaire, and the "cancer" diagnosis was a lie.

The documentary, "Con Mum," available on Netflix, follows Graham's journey from being a head chef at A-list restaurant Hakkasan to suffering a betrayal that left him financially and emotionally devastated. Graham's partner, Heather, said she wishes they had never received the email from Dionne, which started the chain of events that led to Graham's downfall.

Graham's story is one of the ultimate betrayals, and he is now speaking out to raise awareness about the dangers of unprocessed wounds and the importance of taking stock of past traumas. He has become more open about his experience and is using his platform to help others who may be going through similar situations.

Hornigold is now focused on rebuilding his life and being a good father to his son. He has reflected on the experience and has come to accept that he doesn't have a mother. His story serves as a warning to others about the dangers of con artists and the importance of being cautious when dealing with strangers, even if they claim to be family.