From NFL Stardom to Scandal: How Ex-Star Darryl 'Buster' Skrine Fell Victim to a $300K Dating App Fraud Despite His $40 Million Fortune

Darryl “Buster” Skrine, a former NFL cornerback, was apprehended in the Atlanta suburb of Roswell facing 18 charges linked to a broad financial fraud scheme targeting women on online dating sites. Law enforcement officials allege that the retired athlete crafted fictitious tales of financial distress to extract money from his victims, assuring them that he would repay them from his NFL annuity. It is purported that he misappropriated these funds to sustain a lavish lifestyle, indulging in Airbnb rentals, travel, and purchases of gift cards. Born in nearby Cherokee County, Georgia, Skrine played high school football at Etowah High before proceeding to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He started his NFL career in 2011, playing for several teams, including the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets, accumulating over $40 million before retiring in 2022. Authorities initiated an investigation in July after a report from a victim who claimed financial exploitation. They uncovered targeted schemes affecting multiple women, culminating in financial losses around $300,000 from confirmed victims. Skrine, also wanted in Canada for related charges, faced additional legal woes after allegedly fleeing the country. Now 36, he faces serious federal fraud charges, with the investigation still ongoing.