Michael Schumacher’s family was reportedly the target of an alleged blackmailing plot involving his former bodyguard.

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‘s former bodyguard Markus Fritsche, Metro reported.

Prosecutors called the alleged scheme “particularly serious,” containing more than 1,000 private images, video and the 55-year-old former F1 legend’s medical notes.

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Michael has largely been private ever since a major skiing accident in 2013. His wife Corinne has also protected his privacy, including details of his condition following a brain injury.

The former bodyguard reportedly moved into Michael‘s inner circle about a year before the accident, and was with the family for eight years, via MailOnline.

“When the family finally decided to make changes to the care regime and Fritsche was told he was to be let go, he is alleged to have become bitter – and then to have concocted an elaborate blackmail plot,” the outlet reports.

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, named as the ex-bodyguard’s friend Yilmaz Tozturkan, who reportedly recruited IT expert Daniel Lins to carry out the scheme with him, MailOnline reports.

A trial regarding the alleged plot is due to start in Wuppertal this month.

Yilmaz Tozturkan reportedly contacted the family by phone on June 3 to demand £12 million ($15 million), and “threatened that the data would be published on the darknet,” the public prosecutor said.

His son then allegedly sent four images to Michael‘s residence on June 11, saying they had one month to come up with the money over two installments in exchange for the material.

A week later, the man and his son were arrested by the police in Germany after reportedly being placed under surveillance, via MailOnline.

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. For even more details about the case, head to Metro.co.uk.

Last year, Michael Schumacher‘s family shared their plans to sue a German magazine over a false interview with the former F1 star.