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Michael Schumacher<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s family was reportedly the target of an alleged blackmailing plot involving his former bodyguard.<\/p>\n One of the men expected to appear in court in Germany later in December, charged with aiding and abetting the alleged blackmail scheme, was named as Michael<\/strong>\u2018s former bodyguard Markus Fritsche<\/strong>, Metro<\/a><\/em> reported.<\/p>\n Prosecutors called the alleged scheme \u201cparticularly serious,\u201d containing more than 1,000 private images, video and the 55-year-old former F1<\/strong><\/a> legend\u2019s medical notes.<\/p>\n Keep reading to find out more\u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Michael<\/strong> has largely been private ever since a major skiing accident in 2013. His wife Corinne<\/strong> has also protected his privacy, including details of his condition following a brain injury.<\/p>\n The former bodyguard reportedly moved into Michael<\/strong>\u2018s inner circle about a year before the accident, and was with the family for eight years, via MailOnline<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the family finally decided to make changes to the care regime and Fritsche <\/strong>was told he was to be let go, he is alleged to have become bitter \u2013 and then to have concocted an elaborate blackmail plot,\u201d the outlet reports.<\/p>\n The ex-bodyguard allegedly obtained footage from the family before selling it to a 53-year-old man from Wuppertal who was supported by his 30-year-old son, via Eurosport Germany<\/a>, named as the ex-bodyguard\u2019s friend Yilmaz Tozturkan<\/strong>, who reportedly recruited IT expert Daniel Lins<\/strong> to carry out the scheme with him, MailOnline<\/em> reports.<\/p>\n A trial regarding the alleged plot is due to start in Wuppertal this month.<\/p>\n Yilmaz Tozturkan<\/strong> reportedly contacted the family by phone on June 3 to demand \u00a312 million ($15 million), and \u201cthreatened that the data would be published on the darknet,\u201d the public prosecutor said.<\/p>\n His son then allegedly sent four images to Michael<\/strong>\u2018s residence on June 11, saying they had one month to come up with the money over two installments in exchange for the material.<\/p>\n A week later, the man and his son were arrested by the police in Germany after reportedly being placed under surveillance, via MailOnline<\/em>.<\/p>\n The ex-bodyguard and the IT expert will appear in court charged with aiding and abetting the crime, while the alleged blackmailer will be accused of attempted extortion, according to Eurosport<\/em>. For even more details about the case, head to Metro.co.uk.<\/a><\/p>\n Last year, Michael Schumacher<\/strong>\u2018s family shared their plans to sue a German magazine over a false interview with the former F1 star.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n