Former Australian Rugby League star Trent Merrin has been arrested and charged with dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception, following allegations that he stole AUD $140,000 worth of cryptocurrency from a 29-year-old man's wallet using deceptive means.
Police conducted a raid on Merrin's Barrack Point residence, seizing multiple electronic devices for forensic examination as part of a year-long investigation. Authorities allege that Merrin unauthorizedly accessed and transferred funds from the victim's crypto account, though specific details of the method or relationship remain undisclosed.
Merrin, who retired from professional rugby in 2021 after a 15-year career, describes himself on LinkedIn as a dedicated entrepreneur and investor with a passion for crypto, blockchain, and the health and wellness industry. He has been released on conditional bail and is scheduled to appear in Port Kembla Local Court on December 3.
This arrest coincides with Australia's intensified crackdown on cryptocurrency-related crimes. The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) has classified crypto as a high risk in national money laundering assessments and launched enforcement actions against digital currency exchanges. In February 2025, AUSTRAC conducted a compliance sweep against over 50 crypto service providers, resulting in revoked or suspended registrations for 13 of them.
Regulators have also tightened the crypto licensing framework, introducing draft legislation that mandates digital asset platforms to obtain an Australian Financial Services Licence and face penalties of up to 10% of annual turnover for violations. Additionally, AUSTRAC has been granted new powers to regulate crypto ATMs, which have been linked to scams and illicit financial transfers.
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