Retired NFL Player Arrested for Romance Scamming

Former NFL player, Darryl 'Buster' Skrine, arrested in Georgia on romance scamming charges...

From Fox 5

Former NFL cornerback Darryl "Buster" Skrine has been arrested in Roswell on 18 charges connected to what police describe as an extensive financial fraud scheme. Authorities say he is also wanted in Canada on similar charges.

Roswell police began investigating Skrine in July after a victim reported being financially exploited. 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.

Police have identified three victims in Wisconsin, North Carolina, and New York with losses totaling about $300,000. Detectives believe there may be additional victims across the United States.

Skrine was arrested Wednesday morning at a home on Pine Grove Road in Roswell. He faces multiple charges, including deposit account fraud, identity fraud, financial transaction card fraud, theft by taking, and criminal attempt to commit theft.

In addition, Skrine is a wanted fugitive in Canada. Durham Regional Police arrested him in August 2023 in a $100,000 check fraud case. He was released on bail in April 2024 with GPS monitoring but removed his device and fled back to the United States, authorities said.

Darryl "Buster" Skrine grew up in Cherokee County and played football for Etowah High School. He went to college at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, then went pro. He played for the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans. The 36-year-old retired in 2022.

Buster's Canadian mugshot below.