Former NFL player who allegedly defrauded banks across Durham arrested in Mississauga

A former NFL player was arrested in Pearson Airport after allegedly defrauding numerous banks across Durham Region.

According to Durham Regional Police, their Financial Crimes Unit received several reports about a man who said he was an NFL football player going to several area banks and opening accounts. Investigators allege the man used fraudulent cheques to secure the accounts and took out cash before the cheques cleared.

Police did not specify how many banks or which banks were hit by the alleged scheme. However, police claim the man collected about $100,000 this way. They believe he has committed similar offences across the country.

After police identified a suspect, he booked a flight back to the United States for Aug. 9. Durham Police, Peel Regional Police and the American Homeland Security and Customs arrested a suspect at Pearson airport.

Police have identified the suspect as Darryl Frank “Buster” Skrine, 34 of Woodstock, Georgia, United States. After playing college football for the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Skrine signed on with the Cleveland Browns in 2011. In 2015, he joined the New York Jets until 2018 when he went to the Chicago Bears.

Skrine signed a $16.6 million three-year contract with the Bears in 2019 and was released in March 2021. The following September 29 he signed with the San Francisco 49ers, but was released just two weeks later on October 11. However, he went on to the Tennessee Titans for a successful 2021 season. He re-signed with the Titans in March 2022 but announced his retirement from the NFL that June.

After his arrest, Skrine was charged with 15 fraud-related offences including fraud over $5,000, making false statements, and possession of property obtained by crime. He remains in custody until a bail hearing.

Anyone with information can call police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5371 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).