Former Schumacher Security Guard Accused of €15 Million Blackmail Plot

A former security guard of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher is under investigation for allegedly attempting to blackmail the racer’s family for €15 million. Markus Fritze, once a trusted confidant of the Schumacher family, is accused of stealing over 1,500 photos and 200 videos with the intent to extort.

Prosecutors allege that Fritze, alongside two accomplices, threatened to release sensitive personal data on the darknet if their demands were not met. The Schumacher family swiftly reported the matter to authorities, leading to the suspects’ identification and arrest.

The trial for Fritze and his co-conspirators is set to begin this month in Germany. Prosecutors are pushing for a prison sentence of no less than four years, though the severity of the case could warrant an even harsher penalty.

The Schumacher family has remained private since Michael Schumacher’s tragic skiing accident in 2013, which left him with severe injuries. This alleged blackmail attempt has further spotlighted the challenges the family continues to face.