Ex-NFL player Buster Skrine arrested for $100k in fraud charges in Canada

Former NFL defensive back Buster Skrine was arrested at a Canadian airport and faces 15 counts of fraud-related charges totaling more than $100,000, Canadian police announced Thursday.

Skrine, 34, was arrested at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport on Wednesday night after investigators learned he made travel arrangements to return to the United States.  

Fraud investigators with Durham Region Police Service in Ontario worked with Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Peel Regional Police to arrest Skrine.

Skrine allegedly identified himself as a retired NFL player to open bank accounts with fake checks and withdraw money before the checks cleared. Police believe Skrine has committed similar crimes across Canada.

Skrine has been charged with four counts of fraud over $5,000; seven counts of making false statements to procure money; three counts of possessing property obtained by crime over $5,000; and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

Skrine is awaiting a bail hearing.

Police began their investigation in July and allege Skrine’s offenses took place in at least four banks and credit unions from September 2022 to this summer, according to a report by CP24.com in Toronto.

Sgt. Joanne Bortoluss told CP24: “The investigators are still going through the evidence that they have. If that evidence leads to grounds for additional charges then additional charges would be laid. However, that part of the investigation is still ongoing.”

Skrine, who played in the NFL for 11 seasons, was selected in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns and played for the New York Jets, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans.

Skrine, a Georgia native and former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga standout, signed contracts worth more than $40 million in his NFL career.