Nearly $10K allegedly stolen, spent on Facebook game

LYNNWOOD — An Arlington woman is being accused of stealing real money to improve the fake homestead she was building on the online game FrontierVille featured on Facebook.

Prosecutors allege that Rebecca Lynn Riley Terry used her employer’s credit card to make nearly $10,000 in charges on Facebook. The defendant, 47, was charged Monday with first-degree theft, a felony. She is scheduled to be in court next month to answer to the charge.

The woman worked at a Lynnwood insurance company and was authorized to use the corporate American Express account for business, Lynnwood police detective Scott Dilworth wrote in court papers. The company discovered that between June 2011 and September 2011 there were $9,949.20 in unauthorized charges to Facebook.

The woman allegedly told detectives that she’d used the credit card without permission. She said that a lot of the transactions were for FrontierVille, according to court papers.

The online game, played by millions during the height of its popularity, gives people a chance to play at being virtual pioneers. They create cyber homesteads, complete with crops and livestock. Participants work at earning coins and horseshoes — currency in the game — to purchase items for their homesteads.

Players also can use real money to rack up more coins and horseshoes, giving them even more frills for their pioneer family and homestead.

Prosecutors allege that the defendant used her employer’s credit card for the online game as well as other applications on Facebook. She also is accused of charging nearly $1,000 in gas the to business account, court papers said.

Lynnwood police arrested the woman in October. She was released the same day. She had paid back about $800 prior to her arrest.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers walk in and out of Fred Meyer along Evergreen Way on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Closure of Fred Meyer leads Everett to consider solutions for vacant retail properties

One proposal would penalize landlords who don’t rent to new tenants after a store closes.

People leave notes on farmers market concept photos during an informational open house held at the Northwest Stream Center on Oct. 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County presents plans for Food and Farming Center

The future center will reside in McCollum Park and provide instrumental resources for local farmers to process, package and sell products.

People walk through Explorer Middle School’s new gymnasium during an open house on Oct. 7, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett middle school celebrates opening of new gym

The celebration came as the Mukilteo School District seeks the approval of another bond measure to finish rebuilding Explorer Middle School.

Daily Herald moves to new office near downtown Everett

The move came after the publication spent 12 years located in an office complex on 41st Street.

Women run free for health and wellness in Marysville

The second Women’s Freedom Run brought over 115 people together in support of mental and physical health.

Pop star Benson Boone comes home to Monroe High School

Boone, 23, proves you can take the star out of Monroe — but you can’t take Monroe out of the star.

Records reveal Lynnwood candidate’s history of domestic violence, drug use

Bryce Owings has been convicted of 10 crimes in the last 20 years. He and his wife say he has reformed and those crimes are in his past.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man sets fire to two adult novelty shops on Wednesday

Over two hours, a man, 48, ignited Adult Airport Video and The Love Zone with occupants inside.

Lowell Elementary School in Everett. (Sue Misao / Herald file)
Everett Public Schools could seek bond to fund new school

Along with the new school, the nearly $400 million bond would pay for the replacement of another, among other major renovations.

Everett school bus drivers could strike amid contract fight

Unionized drivers are fighting for better pay, retirement and health care benefits. Both sides lay the blame on each other for the stalemate.

A person enters the Robert J. Drewel Building on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at the county campus in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County Council pass two awareness resolutions

The council recognized October as Domestic Violence Awareness and Disability Employment Awareness Month.

The inside of Johnson’s full-size B-17 cockpit he is building on Sept. 23, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett man builds B-17 replica in his garage

Thatcher Johnson spent 3 years meticulously recreating the cockpit of a World War II bomber.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.