Michael Schumacher blackmailers 'arrested in Germany' after demanding money from F1 icon's family
Michael Schumacher continues to live his life away from the spotlight
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Two men in Germany have been arrested for blackmailing the family of F1 icon Michael Schumacher, according to reports.
The 55-year-old hasn't been seen in public for over a decade, having suffered life-changing injuries following a tragic skiing accident.
According to German outlet Bild, two men from Wuppertal were arrested on Wednesday.
It's claimed the men in question wanted millions from the Schumacher family. No other details were currently known.
Michael Schumacher continues to live his life away from the spotlight
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Wolf-Tilman Baumert, spokesman for the prosecution, told the newspaper: "We are investigating a blackmail case against a celebrity and have issued arrest warrants in this case.
"We cannot give more information at this time."
It is the second time Schumacher's family have been targeted since his accident in 2013.
In 2016, a then 25-year-old man sent a blackmail email to Schumacher's wife, Corinna. He also threatened her children before being arrested.
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The criminal was dubbed 'not very smart' by a judge after he'd attempted to extort money by demanding the cash be paid to his personal bank account.
He was sentenced to a year and nine months behind bars.
Earlier this year, the Schumacher family were awarded £170,000 in compensation after a magazine published a fake AI-generated interview with the F1 legend.
German publication Die Aktuelle ran the story as a 'world exclusive' and, in a two-page spread, promoted it with a picture of Schumacher.
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It claimed the seven-time Formula One champion had said his life had 'totally changed'.
The vile stunt backfired with Die Aktuelle later paying up and issuing a public apology.
There remains no new information on Schumacher, who continues to be surrounded by his loved ones.
But close friend Roger Benoit, speaking in September, said the 55-year-old was a 'case without hope'.
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Michael Schumacher's family have been targeted by blackmailers
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"No. There is only one answer to this question and that is what his son Mick gave in one of his rare interviews in 2022 - 'I would give anything to talk to Dad'," he said.
"This sentence says everything about how his father has been doing for over 3,500 days. A case without hope."
Schumacher's son, Mick, said in 2022 that he understands his dad in a 'different way' now.
"I think Dad and me, we would understand each other in a different way now," he said.
Michael Schumacher suffered life-changing injuries while skiing back in 2013
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"We would have had much more to talk about, and that is where my head is most of the time, thinking that would be so cool.
"I would give up everything just for that."