Former Wests Tigers back Tim Simona has been charged over defrauding charities.

Police say they arrested a 25-year-old man at a home in Macquarie Fields, in Sydney’s south-west, on Wednesday morning.

He was taken to a local police station and charged with obtain benefit by deception.

In an interview with News Corp earlier this month, Simona discussed the circumstances surrounding him auctioning off at least 12 jerseys for charity.

He was granted bail and is due to face Campbelltown Local Court next month.

Simona had his registration terminated by the NRL last month for breaching the league’s gambling rules.

A Wests Tigers spokesman said the club continued to work with Simona on a welfare basis.

The league said, among other things, the electric winger had “bet on opposition players scoring and against his team winning”.

He made 79 appearances for the Tigers between 2011 and 2016 and also represented Samoa on the international stage.