Former NRL player Trent Merrin has been charged with allegedly stealing more than $100,000 worth of cryptocurrency.
Detectives arrived this morning at the Barrack Point home of the ex-St George Illawarra Dragons forward as part of an ongoing fraud investigation.
Police allege Merrin accessed a 29-year-old man’s cryptocurrency account and transferred $140,000.
The 36-year-old was arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station, where he was charged with dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception.
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“Police will allege in court that the man accessed the 29-year-old man’s account and transferred $140,000 worth of cryptocurrency,” a police statement said.
Following his retirement from rugby league in 2021, Merrin now describes himself as a “dedicated entrepreneur and investor with a passion for crypto.”
9 News understands the alleged fraud involves Bitcoin transactions.
Merrin was granted conditional bail and is scheduled to face Port Kembla Local Court on December 3.
The former NSW Blues and Australian representative played more than 150 NRL games for the Dragons across two stints, alongside seasons at the Penrith Panthers and Leeds Rhinos in the English Super League.
He was part of St George Illawarra’s 2010 NRL Premiership-winning team and retired in 2021 shortly after reaching 250 career games.