Ex-NFL Player Arrested in Roswell Financial Fraud Scheme

ROSWELL, Ga.—The Roswell Police Department (RPD) has arrested retired NFL player Darryl “Buster” Skrine, 35, on 18 charges related to an extensive financial fraud scheme. Skrine is also a wanted fugitive in Canada on similar charges.

The RPD investigation began in July after a victim reported being financially exploited by Skrine. According to detectives, Skrine allegedly targeted multiple women on online dating platforms, building relationships before telling them a fabricated story about his financial troubles. He would then ask for money, promising to repay them with funds from his NFL annuity.

Instead, investigators say Skrine used the money—totaling approximately $300,000 from three identified victims—to fund a lavish lifestyle of Airbnb rentals, travel, and gift cards. The victims were located in Wisconsin, North Carolina, and New York, and detectives suspect there may be more victims across the United States.

On Wednesday, August 27, RPD detectives served search and arrest warrants at a home associated with Skrine on Pine Grove Rd. in Roswell. He was arrested without incident and charged with multiple counts of deposit account fraud, identity fraud, financial transaction card fraud, theft by taking, and criminal attempt to commit theft.

In addition to his charges in Roswell, Skrine is a wanted fugitive from the Durham Regional Police Service in Canada. He was arrested in Canada in August 2023 for over $100,000 in check fraud. After being granted bail and placed on GPS monitoring in April 2024, he removed the device and fled to the United States. RPD detectives are working with Canadian authorities to ensure he faces all charges in both countries.

This is an active investigation. Anyone who believes they may have been a victim or has information about the case is asked to contact Detective Fields at nfields@roswellgov.com or 770-640-4455. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS(8477).