The Telegraph
The individual who orchestrated the blackmail scheme involving Michael Schumacher is reported to have threatened to unveil “intimate” photographs of the critically injured racing star, according to information presented in a German court.
A former security guard for the Schumacher family allegedly sought revenge after being fired earlier this year.
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Markus F, 53, reportedly felt aggrieved after being dismissed and is said to have collaborated with two other individuals in an attempt to defraud the wealthy family out of millions.
German authorities are spearheading the investigation, with the trio facing prosecution at Wuppertal District Court near Dortmund this week.
A member of the Schumacher household testified that she uncovered emails exchanged between Markus and the family, wherein he demanded payment to maintain the confidentiality of the private photographs.
Heike Puschmann shared that the men claimed to possess images of Michael in his wheelchair and threatened to release them on the dark web.
read more in blackmail plot
She recounted in court: “Emails were sent in which he stated that if he did not receive his payment, he would target the Schumacher family.”
Puschmann, a staff member of the Schumacher household, indicated that she could not recall the exact amount of money requested in the emails.
However, she believed it to be less than three months’ salary for the former security guard at the time.
So far, Markus has remained silent in court, merely confirming his name and address.
The intimate photographs are reportedly part of a collection of 1,500 private files believed to have been unlawfully obtained from the Schumacher family residence.
According to prosecutors, this sensitive data was transferred to four USB drives and two hard drives shortly before Markus’s termination.
Emails were sent in which he indicated that if he didn’t receive his payment, he would go after the Schumacher family
Heike Puschmann
The materials included photographs, videos, medical records, and even Schumacher’s medical file, as previously reported by BILD back in July.
Markus is accused of misusing this information and enlisting his long-time associate and local bouncer Yilmaz T, 53, as stated by German law enforcement.
Yilmaz allegedly involved his son Daniel L to aid in reaching out to the Schumacher family before attempting to extort them.
Police estimate that the total sum sought by the trio was approximately £12 million.
Yilmaz, who has known Markus for over twenty years, was reportedly offered a small commission for his assistance.
Law enforcement quickly intervened to dismantle the operation shortly after communication was initiated with the Schumacher family.
During their initial court proceedings, Markus’s attorney asserted that Corinna Schumacher had requested him to digitize copies of photographs of her husband.
This reportedly included the sensitive images.
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Nevertheless, it has been revealed that one of the hard drives potentially containing data on the F1 legend has reportedly gone missing.
Officials have stated they could potentially intercept the alleged blackmailers using “technical measures.”
On July 4, authorities apprehended Markus at his residence in Wülfrath.
They subsequently arrested Yilmaz and his son Daniel L for their respective roles in the alleged extortion scheme.
All three individuals face charges and are currently embroiled in legal proceedings.
Prosecutors are advocating for sentences of at least four years if convicted.
At Wuppertal District Court, Yilmaz T proclaimed his innocence, contending that he was merely trying to assist a nurse facing financial difficulties.
I didn’t believe I was doing anything wrong. He told me he had photos of someone and wanted to sell them
Daniel L
His son Daniel has admitted to his involvement in the scheme but argues that he was unaware of the nature of the materials being conveyed.
The 30-year-old is accused of supplying his father with an anonymous Gmail account.
He is also alleged to have transmitted the questionable images on behalf of his father.
Daniel mentioned: “I didn’t see the content. My dad simply said it was a legal, normal matter, and that concluded the discussion for me, so I didn’t ask more questions.
“I didn’t perceive it negatively. He just indicated he had photos of someone and intended to sell them.
“I didn’t probe into the particulars. He’s my dad. I just accepted it, that was all.”
Corinna Schumacher, 55, has already sought measures to safeguard her husband during the trial.
She aims to prevent public scrutiny should the current state of health of the seven-time champion be discussed.
Corinna has committed over a decade to nurturing a close circle of individuals who have access to information concerning Michael’s health following his devastating skiing accident.
The F1 icon has not been seen or heard from since, with very limited information released regarding his present condition.
What happened to Michael Schumacher?
MICHAEL Schumacher’s life was at risk over a decade ago as medical teams worked tirelessly to keep him alive after a tragic skiing accident.
The F1 legend suffered severe brain injuries and spent 250 days in a coma.
He received world-class medical care and underwent multiple complex surgeries on his brain.
In 2013, the retired seven-time champion, along with his then 14-year-old son, skied on the Combe de Saulire slope in the exclusive French resort of Meribel.
Helmet camera footage captured that he was not skiing fast when his skis struck a rock hidden beneath the snow.
He was propelled 11.5 feet forward and crashed headfirst into a boulder that shattered his helmet, necessitating a helicopter airlift to the hospital for two life-saving surgeries.
At one point, his family was advised to brace for the worst as his condition was significantly more serious than initially realized.
At that time, medical personnel suggested Schumacher would likely remain in an induced coma for at least 48 hours while he healed.
However, the coma extended for 250 days — exceeding eight months.
After awakening in June 2014, he was discharged from the hospital and returned home to Lake Geneva for continued rehabilitation.
Since then, his wife Corinna and their closely-knit circle of friends have diligently worked to keep details about his health private.
Information has been scarce, with claims suggesting that Schumacher is in a wheelchair but can respond to his environment.
In 2019, it was reported that Schumacher was to undergo groundbreaking stem cell therapy aimed at repairing and rebuilding his nervous system.
Prominent French cardiologist Dr. Philippe Menasche, who previously operated on him, was to conduct the procedure using cells from his heart targeted to his brain.
Post-treatment at Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris, he was reported to be “aware,” although further specifics regarding his condition remain limited.
