Melissa Amos MOTORCYCLE SCAM - Melissa Amos & eBay financing center agent Roberto Johnson Stockton California

my boyfriend and i recently found a to good to be true add on craigslist about a 2007 GSX-R 1000 in yellow for $3500. i emailed the lady telling her we were iin buying the bike and this is what she responded with:

Hello,
The bike is located in Stockton, CA and I am selling it at this price ($3500) because i just finished the divorce with my husband. The divorce is finished and I own this bike. I work as a dealer on a cruise ship and i want to sell it because I need money for other things. This bike is in excellent working condition, no scratches, flaws or any kind of damage, slightly used, in 100% working and looking conditions and comes with a clear titleready for transfer. From the beginning you have to know that for the payment I request only secure pay, I prefer the payment to be done using eBay services. Since i am working most of my time, and divorced I want the deal closed only through eBay's Buyer Protection Program in order for me and you to be 100% protected. The final price that I want for this bike is $3500. If you will take it for this price, I am willing to handle the shipping. Please get back to me asap if you decide to buy, and include in your e-mail your full name and address where you want it shipped so I can start the deal with eBay. You will receive payment and shipping details from them.
I will wait your answer very soon only if you are interested to buy because i don't have any free time to waste.
You can see the rest of the pictures by click on the link below:
http://s685.photobucket.com/albums/vv214/sumodnavi/
Best Regards,
Melissa Amos

i asked for additional information and she wrote:

year :2007 - VIN: JS1GT77A972110535 - 6,600 miles - Engine size 999cc
http://s685.photobucket.com/albums/vv214/sumodnavi/
The bike is already at the shipping company in Stockton, CA sealed and ready to be shipped. I'm very busy with my job so this is the reason why I chose to sell my bike over the internet. I have a contract with eBay so this deal must go through them. According with the eBay you have 5 days from the time you will receive the bike to inspect it and decide if you want to keep it or not.

We recieved a legitamate looking email from eBay@suportebay.com with teh invoice case ID# and instructions to send the payment through moneygram to the financing center agent Roberto Johnson. the invoice looked as if it really came from ebay and that is when my boyfriend and i fell victim.

we sent half the money through moneygram already before realizing we got ripped off!!! several attempts to recontact the seller, Melissa but it went nowhere and we went to look at the ad that i had originally foundfor the bike but she had taken it down.

We are hoping to persue legal action and have notified ebay . we also would liek to hear from others who have fallen victim from the same scam or to at the least prevent others for falling for the same scam.

Naive
Hewlett, New York
U.S.A.