Former NRL Player Trent Merrin Arrested Over Alleged $140,000 Crypto Theft in Australia
Tuesday morning, from the Lake Illawarra Police District, with assist from cybercrime experts, searched Merrin’s residence in Barrack Point, Illawarra. The operation was the result of a year-long probe that begined in November 2024 when a 29-year-old victim said someone had gotten into his BTC account without permission.
Merrin, 36, was arrested and charged with dishonestly getting a financial advantage by lying later than he reportedly hacked into the victim’s and moved over $140,000 worth of assets to himself.
During the raid, police took a number of electronic devices for forensic investigation as they continue to look into the breadth of the crime and how to get the stolen money back.
Details of The Alleged Crime
Investigators think Merrin used dishonest means to steal the cryptocurrency, taking advantage of the fact that transactions are anonymous. Sources from 9 News and The Sporting News say that the stolen assets include a lot of BTC.
Merrin has now been released on bail with conditions and is due to appear in Port Kembla Local Court on December 3, 2025.
Police say that “Authorities will say in court that the defendant accessed the account of the 29-year-old and transferred $140,000 worth of cryptocurrency.” If he is proven guilty, he could face serious consequences, such as jail time, depending on what has happened in the past with digital asset fraud.
Rugby Career Meets Crypto Scandal
Trent Merrin is most known for his long and successful career as a rugby league forward with the St. George Illawarra Dragons, the Penrith Panthers, the Leeds Rhinos, the New South Wales Blues, and the national sides.
He was a vital player for the Dragons’ 2010 NRL championship-winning team. He retired from professional rugby in 2021 later than playing more than 250 top-level games.
later than he retired, Merrin became an entrepreneur and advertised himself as an investor in cryptocurrencies and health firms. He ran businesses that offered cold treatment recovery services and made a number of investments in .
A largeger Crackdown on Crypto Crime
Australia is cracking down more on crimes related to cryptocurrency, and Merrin’s arrest comes at a time when this is happening. Because digital currencies are easily transferable and can be used worldwide, regulators view them as an increasing threat to financial crimes.
Recent high-profile cases and successful asset recovery operations show that Australian authorities are paying more attention.
This event is part of a series of steps taken by police to combat fraud and increase the accountability and transparency of the crypto industry. The police have said that any future marijuana crimes involving digital currencies will be looked at just as closely and will face severe legal penalties.
People in the rugby and crypto communities are shocked and worried that a former sports star is being accused of a complicated financial crime. The case highlights the dangers of stealing digital assets and serves as a warning to investors and others in the sector about the importance of trust, transparency, and cybersecurity.
