MARKUS Fritsche is a former security officer who worked for Formula One legend Michael Schumacher.
But in a sickening turn of events, Fritsche is facing legal proceedings over an alleged blackmail plot.
Who is Markus Fritsche?
Markus Fritsch was employed by the Schumacher family for eight years, including the period after Schumacher’s tragic skiing accident in December 2013.
During his time working for the Schumacher family, the 53 year old had access to private and confidential information, including medical records, photographs and videos.
The relationship drastically declined as Corinna was forced to let Markus go due to changes to her husband’s care plan.
This allegedly turned him bitter as he started to hatch a plan to extort the Schumacher family, MailOnline reports.
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In a shocking turn of events, Fritsche is now facing serious legal troubles.
He is accused of stealing approximately 1,500 photographs and 200 videos from the Schumacher family’s home in Switzerland.
Prosecutors allege that Fritsche took four USB sticks and two hard drives containing this sensitive information.
Blackmail plot
Fritsche supposedly didn’t act alone in this alleged crime.
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He is accused of conspiring with two others: Yilmaz Tozturkan, a 53-year-old nightclub bouncer whom Fritsche has known for over 20 years, and Tozturkan’s 30-year-old son Daniel Lins.
The trio allegedly hatched a plan to blackmail the Schumacher family for £12million.
Their scheme involved threatening to release the stolen information on the dark web if their demands were not met.
The blackmail attempt began on June 3, 2024, when Tozturkan allegedly made a phone call to the Schumacher family using a withheld number.
When asked for proof, the conspirators sent an email a week later containing four images and their ransom demands.
Arrest and legal proceedings
Instead of complying with the blackmailers’ demands, the Schumacher family contacted Swiss police.
Authorities were able to trace the call, leading to the arrest of Fritsche, Tozturkan and Lins on June 19, 2024.
I take responsibility for this mistake. I did this. Please tell the family I’m sorry
Markus Fritsche
The trial of the three men started on December 10, 2024 in Wuppertal, Germany.
While addressing the lawyer for Schumacher’s wife Corinna during the trial, Fritsche reportedly said: “I take responsibility for this mistake. I did this. Please tell the family I’m sorry.”
Speaking for the first time at Wuppertal District Court, Tozturkan said he had done nothing wrong and that it was all to help out a poor nurse.
His son Daniel has accepted his role in the affair but is claiming he had no knowledge of the content being sent as part of the plot.
Fritsche and Tozturkan are charged with extortion, while Lins is accused of aiding and abetting extortion.
Prosecutors are seeking at least four years in jail for the accused, though the large sum involved could result in longer sentences if they are found guilty.
Privacy concerns
This case highlights the ongoing struggle the Schumacher family faces in maintaining their privacy.
Since Michael’s skiing accident in 2013, the family has kept details about his condition extremely private.
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This blackmail attempt is not the first time they have faced such threats — in 2017, another individual was given a suspended sentence for threatening harm to Michael’s son Mick.
The stolen files allegedly include photographs, videos and medication lists, as well as Michael’s complete medical history.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
