“Add me on WhatsApp so we can keep in touch," followed by a phone number. Barbara did not have Maria's number.

She opened WhatsApp on her phone and searched for the phone number given in the email.

Soon enough, the account belonging to that number appeared. The WhatsApp username was Cash-strapped Maria. As for the profile picture, it was a photo of Maria herself.

In it, Maria was pouting while showing the camera an open wallet which was completely empty, without even a single coin inside.

Barbara didn't know the story behind this photo. It was taken by Sophie after she emptied Maria's wallet.