Buster Skrine was arrested in Canada this week and is facing numerous fraud charges, Canadian authorities announced Thursday.
The former Jets cornerback “is facing several fraud-related charges totaling more than $100,000,” the Durham Regional Police in Whitby, Ontario, revealed in a press release.
Authorities say Skrine “was attending numerous financial institutions where he would identify himself as a retired NFL player. He would open bank accounts with fraudulent cheques and obtain a portion of the money prior to the cheque clearing.”
The release also states, “There is reason to believe the same male has been committing similar offences (sic) across Canada.”
Skrine was scheduled to return to the U.S. on Wednesday and was arrested at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport in conjunction with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
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 one count of possessing property obtained by crime under $5,000.
Canadian authorities detained Skrine, who was being held for a bail hearing.
The 34-year-old entered the NFL in 2011 as a fifth-round pick of the Browns.
Four years later, he joined the Jets, signing a four-year, $25 million contract.
Skrine played in 59 games for New York, collecting three interceptions and 2.5 sacks.
In 2019, Skrine left the Jets for a three-year, $16.5 million contract with the Bears.
Chicago released the defensive back before the 2021 season.
Skrine landed with the 49ers, playing in one game, before moving on to the Titans, for whom he played in six games.
Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel announced in July 2022 that Skrine had retired from the NFL.
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