{"id":262195,"date":"2025-11-04T15:12:14","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T15:12:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/262195\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T15:12:14","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T15:12:14","slug":"former-nrl-premiership-winner-charged-over-massive-cryptocurrency-heist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/262195\/","title":{"rendered":"Former NRL premiership winner charged over massive cryptocurrency heist"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 05:46 EST, 4 November 2025 | Updated: 06:38 EST, 4 November 2025 <\/p>\n

A former NRL<\/a> star has been charged with fraud after allegedly stealing $140,000 worth of cryptocurrency.<\/p>\n

Police raided the NSW<\/a> South Coast home of former Dragons and NSW State of Origin forward Trent Merrin, 36, on Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n

Officers seized several electronic devices from the property in\u00a0Barrack Point, which will be forensically analysed.<\/p>\n

NSW Police launched an investigation into Merrin late last year after receiving reports the ex-footy star had stolen cryptocurrency from an account belonging to a 29-year-old man.<\/p>\n

Merrin was arrested and taken to\u00a0Lake Illawarra Police Station where he was charged with dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception.<\/p>\n

He is accused of stealing $140,000 from the man’s account.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The former Blues player retired after competing in more than 150 games for the Dragons across two stints with the team, including the club’s last premiership in 2010.<\/p>\n

He also played for the Penrith Panthers and\u00a0Leeds in the English Super League, as well as teams for NSW and Australia.<\/p>\n

\"Trent <\/p>\n

Trent Merrin (left) was arrested and charged with fraud after allegedly stealing $140,000<\/p>\n

\"Merrin <\/p>\n

Merrin (pictured) retired from the NRL in 2021<\/p>\n

\"Merrin's <\/p>\n

Merrin’s home was raided by NSW Police officers on Tuesday (pictured, Merrin and partner Kiara Ramsey talking with police on Tuesday morning)<\/p>\n

Merrin has been an active member of the crypto community since his retirement in 2021, even going so far as to describe himself as a ‘cryptocurrency enthusiast’ on his LinkedIn profile.<\/p>\n

He was granted conditional bail ahead of an appearance in\u00a0Port Kembla Local Court on December 3.<\/p>\n

Merrin made headlines in 2017 after splitting from his former girlfriend, champion surfer\u00a0Sally Fitzgibbons, after three years together.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The pair started dating in 2014 and were engaged the following year during a trip to Vanuatu.<\/p>\n

At the time of the breakup, Fitzgibbons said she was focused on ‘exciting’ opportunities.<\/p>\n

Merrin is now a father of two children and dating Kiara Ramsey, who greeted officers at the door of their home on Tuesday morning.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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