Nightclub bouncer behind £12m plot to reveal Formula One star Michael Schumacher's health secrets jailed

12 February 2025, 20:03

Italian F1 Grand Prix - Previews
A nightclub bouncer has been sentenced to three years after being convicted of attempting to blackmail Michael Schumacher . Picture: Getty

By Flaminia Luck

A nightclub bouncer has been sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of attempting to blackmail Formula One star Michael Schumacher out of £12million.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Three men - including the former world champion's ex bodyguard Markus Fritsche, 53 - were arrested in Germany over the summer over allegations they demanded €15 million from the racing star's family in exchange for not releasing personal photos and videos.

The racing legend, 55, has not been seen in public since his near-fatal skiing accident in France in 2013, which left the star in a six month induced coma following a severe bleed on the brain.

A 53-year-old bouncer, Yilmaz Tozturkan, was arrested alongside his 30-year-old son Daniel Lins in June, and a month later Fritsche, also 53, was arrested too.

Read more: Three charged over Michael Schumacher blackmail plot amid claims suspects demanded £12.5m to avoid photo leak

Read more: Michael Schumacher 'seen in public for first time' since horror ski crash in 2013 as he 'attends daughter's wedding'

Michael Schumacher
Schumacher has not been seen in public since his near-fatal skiing accident in France in 2013. Picture: Alamy

Tozturkan and Lins, both denied charges of blackmail, claiming they were offering the Schumacher family a "business deal."

During the trial in Germany, it was revealed over 1,500 images, videos, and confidential medical records had been downloaded from a computer and handed to Fritsche, who then passed them on to Tozturkan.

Tozturkan reportedly threatened to "upload them to the dark web" unless payment was made.

Prosecutors recommended a three-year sentence for Tozturkan, who is already behind bars for an unrelated crime.

The Schumacher family had been seeking a five-year sentence and viewed his actions as a profound betrayal.

Lins received a six-month suspended sentence, while Fritsche was given a two-year suspended sentence.

The Schumacher family also voiced concerns that one hard drive containing sensitive material remained unaccounted for, despite multiple searches of the defendants' properties.

Additionally, a nurse who had been dismissed by the family is suspected of being involved in the case but did not appear to testify, citing illness as the reason for her absence.

Grand Prix of South Africa
Schumacher is the seven time former world champion. Picture: Getty

The scheme is said to have taken place after the bodyguard was fired after helping look after Schumacher for eight years.

He is then accused of recruiting the other two and hatching the plot to release the images onto the dark web.

The security guard is said to have put the images onto memory sticks when he knew he was going to be let go.

The plot was effectively foiled after authorities in Switzerland contacted German police to inform them that the Schumacher family was being blackmailed.

After an investigation, authorities were able to track down Fritsche and his alleged accomplices.

(dpa) - German Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher holds his trophy after winning the British Formula One Grand Prix in Silverstone, 7 July 2002.
The Schumacher family also voiced concerns that one hard drive containing sensitive material remained unaccounted for. Picture: Alamy

Schumacher's family have kept the driver's condition private about the star's condition since the accident.

However, a host of attempts have been made by outsiders to glean information on the star's condition.

Following the accident one journalist was seen to dress up as a priest in an attempt to access the star's hospital room.

Read more: Michael Schumacher’s family awarded six-figure sum in damages after court battle over fake interview

Formula One Motor Racing - Australian Grand Prix
Schumacher's family have kept the driver's condition private about the star's condition since the accident. Picture: Alamy

Schumacher has been cared for by medical professionals at the family home in Switzerland since the accident.

It comes after Michael Schumacher’s family were awarded a six-figure sum in damages earlier this year after a fake interview was published by a German women’s magazine last year.

In April last year, Die Aktuelle published a fake interview with the F1 legend, who has not been seen since he suffered life-threatening injuries in the French Alps in 2013.

The magazine presented the 'interview' as Schumacher’s first since his skiing accident.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Alexandra Clarke, 26

Brit holidaymaker missing after boat bursts into flames on dive trip off coast of Thailand's 'death island'

Danny Jones and Georgia Horsley

Danny Jones’ ‘hurt & embarrassed’ wife Georgia moves out of family home after his 'drunken kiss' with Maura Higgins

US President Donald Trump speaks from the Oval Office of the White House

Trump to hold talks with Putin on Tuesday as White House pushes for end to Ukraine war

Technology firms must tackle illegal content on their platforms under new rules, but there are concerns that the changes are too weak.

New Ofcom powers for online safety come into force as charities warn of 'major gaps' in legislation

The rebels on Sunday claimed to have targeted the USS Harry S Truman carrier strike group with missiles and a drone.

US fights off Houthi drone attacks on aircraft carrier after Trump ramps up strikes on Yemen

Jack Draper of Great Britain celebrates after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark to win the Men's Singles Final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2025

Britain’s Jack Draper wins Indian Wells Open after beating Holger Rune in biggest title of his career

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

20 arrested including government officials after 59 killed in North Macedonia night club fire

Alton Towers' latest attraction, Toxicator, was forced to close on its opening day after a burst pipe caused a leak of brown liquid.

‘Nightmare day’ - New Alton Towers attraction ‘Toxicator’ forced to close on opening day after burst pipe

People sit on deckchairs on brown-coloured dry grass, in the sunshine in Hyde Park in central London

Parts of UK to be hotter than Ibiza and Corfu next week as first day of spring looms

Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring the second goal during the Carabao Cup Final match between Liverpool vs Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium, London.

Newcastle crowned Carabao Cup winners, taking home first major trophy in 70 years

Kanye West, left, and Kim Kardashian attend the WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards on Nov. 6, 2019, in New York.

‘You’re going to have to kill me’ - Kanye leaks chilling texts with Kim after involving daughter in Diddy scandal

Pilot Mike Beaton was sacked for snorting cocaine off a passengers breasts in 2023.

British Airways pilot back in the skies after snorting drugs off woman's breasts before flight

Iran has denied backing Yemen's Houthis after the US launched airstrikes in the country's capital and Donald Trump promised to 'hold Iran accountable' for allegedly supporting the rebels.

Iran denies aiding Houthi rebels after US strikes Yemen and Trump threatens to hold Tehran 'fully accountable'

MP Rosie Duffield claimed she was 'single-handedly bullied' out of the Labour party by 'millionaire barrister' Sir Keir Starmer.

Former Labour MP claims she was 'bullied out of the party' by 'millionaire' Starmer amid 'anti-sleaze' row

Pope Francesco greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

Pope facing 'period of trial' as Pontif issues Sunday prayer from hospital

Former advisor to President Putin told LBC ‘Ukrainians will be thankful after we liberate them'.

Putin ally suggests Ukrainians should be 'thankful' nation is being 'bombed to bits'