Former Panthers and Dragons star Trent Merrin has been charged for allegedly stealing $140,000 worth of cryptocurrency, after police raided his Wollongong home.
Code Sports reported that the former Blues and Kangaroos forward was charged with dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception.
Merrin’s Barrack Point house on the NSW south coast was raided on Tuesday morning, with police seizing electronic devices for forensic examination.
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NSW Police commenced an investigation late in 2024 after allegations the cryptocurrency had been stolen from an account of a 29-year-old man.
Merrin was arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station, with police charging the 36-year-old with dishonestly and obtaining a financial advantage by deception.
“Police will allege in court that the man accessed the 29-year-old man’s account and transferred $140,000 worth of cryptocurrency,” the statement said.
The former rugby league star was granted conditional bail to face Port Kembla Local Court on December 3.
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Trent Merrin has been charged with allegedly stealing $140,000 in cryptocurrency.Source: News Corp Australia
Merrin describes himself on LinkedIn as a “cryptocurrency enthusiast” and “dedicated entrepreneur and investor with a passion for crypto”.
Merrin scored 21 tries in 223 NRL games for the Dragons and Panthers from 2009 to 2021, including a premiership win in 2010 under Wayne Bennett at St George Illawarra.
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In 2019 he had one season with Super League side Leeds, scoring four tries in 28 games.
He also played 13 Origins for NSW and seven Tests for the Kangaroos from 2011 to 2015, before retiring six games into the 2021 season at 32 years old, admitting the game had outgrown him and his playing style.