The BBC's latest true crime documentary series, The Mother of All Cons, has been described as 'sickening' by viewers, yet it is quickly becoming a binge-watch sensation. The three-part series is based on the 2023 BBC Radio 4 investigative podcast Believe in Magic by Jamie Bartlett.
The Story Behind the Series
The documentary delves into the true story of Jean O'Brien and her daughter Megan Bhari, who founded a charity for critically ill children in 2010. Megan, claiming to have a brain tumour, became the face of the charity, attracting support from celebrities, including the boy band One Direction. However, as the charity grew, suspicions arose about the legitimacy of the mother-daughter duo.
The synopsis reads: 'She's battling a brain tumour, and knowing the toll illness can take, she decides to devote her life to creating fairy-tale experiences that might help children to forget, even briefly, that they're sick. Believe in Magic becomes an immediate success.'
Charity Collapse and Revelations
The charity was forced to close in 2020 after over £100,000 in donations went unaccounted for. Jean had transferred funds to her personal account, and it was later revealed that Megan never had a brain tumour. Megan's estranged half-sister, Nina Morgan, told The Times: 'They would say things about Meg's health and I wasn't quite sure what was the truth and what wasn't.'
Viewer Reactions
Viewers have shared their shock on social media. One wrote: 'The mother of all cons. I've just watched all 3 on BBC player. Ffs sickening.' Another said: 'Binge watched all 3 episodes of The Mother Of All Cons on iPlayer and omg.' A third added: 'The Mother of All Cons fascinating and sad documentary on BBC. Recommended.'
For fans of Mr Bates vs. The Post Office and Mommy Dead and Dearest, this series offers a compelling deep dive into deception and charity fraud. The Mother of All Cons is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
