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A former NFL player has been tackled by the long arm of the law and charged with fraud in the GTA.
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Darryl Frank “Buster” Skrine, 34, of Georgia was arrested at Toronto’s Pearson airport on Wednesday night as the former cornerback was trying to return to his native U.S.
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Durham Regional Police said the arrest came on the heels of a lengthy investigation.
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“Investigators became aware of a male that was attending numerous financial institutions where he would identify himself as a retired NFL player,” Durham cops said in a new release. “DRPS fraud investigators worked in conjunction with Homeland Security investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as well as Peel Regional Police and arrested the suspect last night (Wednesday) at Pearson International Airport.”
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Skrine was born in Marrietta, Ga., and played his entire pro football career in the U.S., including 158 games in the NFL between 2011 and 2021. He attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Skrine retired from the NFL in July 2022 following time spent with Cleveland, the New York Jets, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans.
Skrine was charged with four counts of fraud over $5,000, seven counts of making a false statement to procure money, three counts of possessing property obtained by crime over $5,000 and one count of possessing property obtained by crime under $5,000 with his charges totaling more than $100,000.
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“He would open bank accounts with (allegedly) fraudulent cheques and obtain a portion of the money prior to the cheque clearing,” Durham cops said in the news release. “There is reason to believe the same male has been committing similar offences across Canada.”
Durham police are asking anyone with information to call 1-888-579-1520, Ext. 5371, or contact Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) at durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.
