Former NFL CB Darryl ‘Buster’ Skrine arrest on multiple charges for dating scheme, financial fraud

Former NFL cornerback Buster Skrine has been arrested in Roswell, GA on 18 charges connecting to a financial fraud scheme, FOX 5 Atlanta reported Wednesday night. Investigators say the former Fifth Round draft pick scammed victims out of roughly $300,000 to fund a lavish lifestyle, per FOX 5 Atlanta.

Along with the 18 charges connected to the dating app schemes, Skrine was also wanted in Canada. He was charged in a $100,000 check fraud case before fleeing the country while out on bail. He had been under investigation since July.

Skrine was arrested at his home Wednesday morning and will now undergo the legal process. Per FOX 5 Atlanta, “investigators determined Skrine was targeting women through online dating platforms, telling them fabricated stories about financial troubles and promising repayment from his NFL annuity. Instead, detectives say, he used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle, including Airbnb rentals, travel, and gift cards.”

Per Spotrac.com, Skrine made $40,372,626 across 10 NFL seasons with five different teams (Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans).

The Woodstock, GA native played college football at Chattanooga from 2007-2010 and was named First Team All-Southern Conference twice (2009 and 2010). He was selected with the No. 137 overall pick in the Fifth Round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, beginning his NFL journey.

Skrine went on to play 158 career games (95 starts), where he’d record 590 tackles, 16 TFL, 3.5 sacks and 10 interceptions. He announced his retirement from the NFL in 2022.

After spending a career worrying about keeping a roster spot or preparing for an upcoming game, Skrine will now spend the next few years of his life navigating the justice system.