Former Australian rugby league star Trent Merrin was arrested at his Barrack Point home following a year-long crypto theft investigation. According to a statement from the New South Wales Police, the 36-year-old former player faces charges for allegedly dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception, linked to the alleged theft of approximately $140,000 in crypto assets from a 29-year-old man’s account.
The investigation, initiated by the Orana Mid Western Police District, stems from a complaint of unauthorized access to a digital wallet. Merrin, who self-proclaimed as an “investor with a passion for crypto” after his 2021 retirement, sees his arrest coincide with a broader Australian crackdown on crypto crimes. Regulators like AUSTRAC are tightening anti-money laundering (AML) laws for exchanges, considering cryptocurrencies a key financial risk.
Following his arrest, during which several electronic devices were seized for forensic analysis, Merrin was granted conditional bail. The former athlete is scheduled to appear before the Port Kembla Local Court on December 3 to formally answer the charges stemming from this crypto theft investigation.
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