Rugby league star and current media personality Beau Ryan has demanded to know the identity of the player at the center of a nude photo sexual assault attempt.
An NRL star who was blackmailed over a lewd image sent to a catfish social media account was forced to send frantic texts to friends and family members to warn them of the situation.
The Sydney-based player, who is single, posted a nude photo on a social media account.
Whoever was behind the account threatened to send the photos to the star’s friends and family if she didn’t transfer $5,000, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
But the player refused to be blackmailed and the account duly sent the picture to several of his companions and loved ones.
Speaking to Kyle and Jackie O on the KIIIS Network on Friday morning, Ryan confirmed he was involved with the NRL star’s identity.
‘I haven’t seen the picture but I know who it is’, he said.
Beau joked that his wife Cara (pictured together) threatens to publish nude photos ‘all the time’ but never follows through
KIIS radio stars Kyle and Jackie grill O’Ryan about the incident and try to get him to reveal the player’s name.
However, Ryan’s mate then sent a second name, creating confusion and why the former Wests Tigers and Cronulla Sharks winger did not want them identified.
‘I have sent [a message] To my partner … asking who it is … and he sent me back two names,’ she said.
‘He sent one back, then said wait, I think it’s this guy.’
‘So I’m not quite sure, it would be wrong to say.’
Ryan defended the player, however, while condemning the person responsible for the extortion attempt.
‘What happened was, he was talking to someone online and he sent a picture and he sent one back,’ she said.
‘It is agreeable. What he did was revenge porn.
‘If the shoe is on the other foot and the rugby league guy does it to the girl, it becomes more serious. ‘
The hosts then joked that the player could be 63-year-old Canberra Raiders legend Mal Meninga.
‘It’s not Mal Meninga,’ said Ryan.
The player at the center of the extortion attempt is Sydney-based and currently plays in the NRL while Meninga is a proud Queenslander and long retired.
When the panel asked Ryan if women had ever tried to blackmail him in the past, he joked that his wife, Kara, had also threatened to publish nude photos of him.
‘My wife threatens me all the time,’ he laughed.
The player was forced to send text messages to friends and family members to warn them of the blackmail attempt
Police have told the club they believe the account is someone overseas trying to extort NRL players
Panicking, he informed his club, who then contacted the police. They recommended that she ask her friends to report the account for sexual harassment.
The star also called his parents to share the plight.
‘Hey, this is crazy [account holder] Sending a picture of my d*** trying to get money out of me and sent it to you,’ the player said in a private message to a friend on Monday.
‘Can you report them for sexual harassment? Could help. Sorry (sic) this but would be greatly appreciated x.’
Police have told the club they believe the account is someone overseas trying to extort NRL players. The account has since been closed.
“The matter has been reported to the police and relevant social media organisations,” a club spokesman told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘It is important that the player is the victim here. It appears that this type of incident is constantly happening to the people of the society.’
It comes just a week after dozens of AFL players were caught up in yet another nude photo scandal rocking Australian sport.
A Google Drive contains a list of player names containing folders of images that may contain them
A massive leak of personal and private images of more than 45 current and former AFL players is being investigated by the league and police.
A Google Drive file claimed to contain images of past and present stars has been shared, showing screenshots, photos and videos claimed to be of AFL players, including Brownlow Medal winners.
A number of clubs are understood to have contacted the AFL when the images began circulating.
Police are investigating the incident.
‘Collecting images and creating files for distribution appears to involve significant work,’ an AFL statement read, in part.
‘The AFL has no information as to why the personal images were circulated unlawfully and without consent, or what was the purpose of doing so.’