BARRACK POINT, Australia — Former Australian rugby league star Trent Merrin has been arrested and charged with allegedly stealing $140,000 worth of cryptocurrency, following a year-long investigation.
The 36-year-old former Dragons and Panthers forward was taken into custody at his Barrack Point home on Tuesday by officers from Lake Illawarra Police District and the State Crime Command’s Cybercrime Squad.
Investigations began in November 2024, after a 29-year-old man reported unauthorized access to his cryptocurrency account. Police allege Merrin transferred $140,000 from the victim’s account without permission.
During the raid, authorities seized several electronic devices, which will undergo forensic examination. Merrin was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station and charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.
Merrin, who won the 2010 NRL premiership with St George-Illawarra, also represented Penrith, NSW, and Australia, before retiring from rugby league in April 2021.
He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear before Port Kembla Court on December 3.
