The family of the legendary racer "Formula-1" Michael Schumacher was at the epicenter of the shocking scandal associated with the attempted blackmail. The former guard Marcus Fritche, who enjoyed the confidence of Schumachers, is accused of extorting £ 12 million for non -disclosure of confidential information.
After the ski accident in 2013, which significantly affected the health of Michael Schumacher, his family deliberately limited access to the personal life of the athlete. However, among the trusted persons was Marcus Fritche, who worked in the family for a year and a half before the tragedy. During this period, Fritche received access to medical documents, photos and videos related to Schumacher's rehabilitation. Upon completion of the contract, he decided to use this information for financial benefits. Fritche, acting with his ancient friend, Iilmaz Tozurkan and his son, handed over 1500 images to accomplices, 200 videos and other confidential materials. All the information was saved on USB drives and hard drives.
The conspirators demanded from the Schumacher family £ 12 million, threatening to publish the materials through Darknet. To confirm their words, they sent some of the photos and videos. The requirement provided for the payment of redemption in two parts through a lawyer's office. However, the athlete's family was not pressured and turned to law enforcement. The police started monitoring the suspects, which allowed to arrest Yilmaz Tozurkan and his son a week after the first contact. Marcus Fritche was also detained, but later released on bail. During the searches, law enforcement officers seized all carriers with stolen data that became key evidence in the case. The investigation ended, and in December 2024 the trial will begin. The prosecutor's office requires at least four years in prison for conspiracy participants. However, due to the seriousness of the crime and the huge amount of extortion, the sentence may be even more severe.
This case emphasizes the importance of protecting the privacy of celebrities and the responsibility of the persons who had access to it.
