Michael Schumacher’s family has been targeted in an alleged blackmailing plot involving his former bodyguard Markus Fritsche. The plot, which is described as ‘particularly serious’ by prosecutors, involved over 1,000 private images, videos, and Schumacher’s medical notes. Since his skiing accident in 2013, Schumacher has been kept out of the public eye as his wife, Corinna, fiercely protects his privacy and condition.
Fritsche, who had been a part of Schumacher’s inner circle for eight years, gained intimate access to the F1 legend’s health details as a bodyguard. Following his dismissal due to changes in Schumacher’s care, Fritsche allegedly became bitter and obtained private footage from the family, which he sold to a 53-year-old man from Wuppertal. This man, supported by his 30-year-old son, was part of the alleged blackmailing scheme.
The man from Wuppertal, identified as Yilmaz Tozturkan, recruited his IT expert Daniel Lins to carry out the scheme with him. The plot involved a demand for £12 million (€15 million) from the Schumacher family, threatening to publish the data on the dark web if payment was not made. The scheme was set to take place in two instalments at the Schumacher family lawyer’s office, but the perpetrators were arrested just a week after the demand.
The Schumacher family filed a criminal complaint in Switzerland after receiving proof of the images, leading investigators to Fritsche. Fritsche and Lins will appear in court charged with aiding and abetting the crime, while Tozturkan will be accused of attempted extortion. It is reported that Tozturkan provided authorities with the source of the images, leading to the arrests.
The attempted blackmailing scheme has shed light on the lengths to which some individuals will go to exploit the privacy and vulnerability of high-profile individuals like Michael Schumacher. The involvement of trusted individuals like former bodyguards in such schemes raises questions about the extent to which personal information and vulnerabilities are at risk. The Schumacher family’s swift action and cooperation with authorities have led to the arrest of the perpetrators.
The trial for the alleged blackmailing plot is set to begin in Wuppertal, where further details of how the scheme unfolded will be revealed. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting personal data and privacy, especially in the case of individuals like Michael Schumacher who require privacy due to medical conditions. The legal proceedings will shed more light on the motivations and actions of those involved in the blackmailing plot.
