Extortionists Who Targeted Schumacher’s Family Sentenced to Prison
A German court has convicted three men for attempting to extort €15 million from the family of former Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher.
The perpetrators threatened to release hundreds of private photographs, videos, and even digital copies of Schumacher’s medical records unless their demands were met. The district court in Wuppertal, western Germany, handed down a three-year prison sentence to the main defendant. His son received a six-month suspended sentence along with a €1,200 fine. Another man, who had previously worked as a security guard for the Schumacher family, was sentenced to two years on probation and fined €2,400 for his role in the crime.
Dark Web Threats and Police Investigation
The extortionists reportedly planned to leak the stolen material on the dark web if the family refused to comply. According to the Associated Press, German authorities seized approximately 900 photographs, nearly 600 videos, and confidential medical records of the seven-time world champion. However, one hard drive containing sensitive data remains missing.
Ongoing Secrecy Around Schumacher’s Condition
Since Michael Schumacher’s tragic skiing accident in 2013, his family has fiercely guarded details about his health. The attempted extortion only underscores the ongoing challenges they face in maintaining their privacy amidst global curiosity about the F1 legend’s condition.
