Michael Schumacher’s security guard on trial for blackmail scheme
Former bodyguard demanded US$15.7 million to keep private medical photos unpublished
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CELEBRITY F1
A Formula One legend and widely considered one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport, Michael Schumacher has seven World Championship titles. Unfortunately, the former F1 star continues to recover from life-altering injuries sustained during a skiing accident on December 29, 2013, just after retiring.
Since then, his family has kept details about his condition strictly private, but have now fallen victim to a major blackmail attempt. German prosecutors allege that a member of Michael Schumacher's security team stole 1,500 photographs and 200 videos as part of a US$15.7 million blackmail scheme. Bodyguard Markus Fritsche allegedly took confidential files from the Schumacher mansion, storing them on four USB drives and two hard drives, after realizing he was about to be fired.
It is alleged that Fritsche conspired with his son, Daniel Lins, 30, a computer expert, and a friend, nightclub bouncer Yilmaz Tozturkan, 53, to threaten to release the material on the dark web unless their ransom demands were met.
The scheme was uncovered after a telephone call from Tozturkan on June 3 allegedly alerted the family to the stolen material, with proof subsequently sent to them via email. Swiss authorities traced the caller's number, leading to the arrest of three individuals. Their trial is scheduled to begin this month in Wuppertal, Germany.
Click through this gallery for an appreciation of Michael Schumacher's remarkable life and career.
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