Former NRL premiership winner charged over massive cryptocurrency heist

A former NRL star has been charged with fraud after allegedly stealing $140,000 worth of cryptocurrency.

Police raided the NSW South Coast home of former Dragons and NSW State of Origin forward Trent Merrin, 36, on Tuesday morning.

Officers seized several electronic devices from the property in Barrack Point, which will be forensically analysed.

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.

Merrin was arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station where he was charged with dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception.

He is accused of stealing $140,000 from the man’s account. 

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.

He also played for the Penrith Panthers and Leeds in the English Super League, as well as teams for NSW and Australia.

Trent Merrin (left) was arrested and charged with fraud after allegedly stealing $140,000

Merrin (pictured) retired from the NRL in 2021

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

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.

He was granted conditional bail ahead of an appearance in Port Kembla Local Court on December 3.

Merrin made headlines in 2017 after splitting from his former girlfriend, champion surfer Sally Fitzgibbons, after three years together. 

The pair started dating in 2014 and were engaged the following year during a trip to Vanuatu.

At the time of the breakup, Fitzgibbons said she was focused on ‘exciting’ opportunities.

Merrin is now a father of two children and dating Kiara Ramsey, who greeted officers at the door of their home on Tuesday morning.