The Mother of All Cons, a BBC documentary series, has left viewers stunned with its unbelievable story. The three-part series, released last month, explores the rise and fall of the charity Believe in Magic, founded by mother-daughter duo Jean O'Brien and Megan Bhari.
The Charity That Fooled Celebrities
Set up in 2012, the charity claimed to be inspired by Megan's brain tumour diagnosis three years earlier. It gained significant celebrity backing, including from One Direction, and created memorable experiences for sick children. However, suspicions arose when Jean claimed Megan needed treatment in the US, but was instead spotted at Disney World. A private investigator captured evidence contradicting their claims, and the Charity Commission found over £100,000 unaccounted for, with some funds transferred to Jean's personal account.
Megan Bhari's Tragic Death
Megan Bhari died at age 23 on March 28, 2018. An inquest revealed she never had a brain tumour; her brain was "morphologically normal." She died from an acute cardiac arrhythmia caused by fatty liver disease, with doctors noting high doses of liquid morphine in her system.
Allegations of Abuse
Megan's half-sister, Nina, believes Megan was a victim of factitious disorder imposed on another, formerly known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy. This condition involves a caregiver exaggerating or causing illness in a child. Jean O'Brien has denied these allegations, stating, "I loved and cared for my daughter. Suggesting I might have harmed her in any way at all is absolutely sickening."
Following the scandal, O'Brien reportedly moved to France, but her current whereabouts remain unknown. The Mother of All Cons is available on BBC iPlayer.
