EXCLUSIVE
The national boss of the Comanchero bikie gang is among the highest paying donors to a fundraiser set up for one of the two young Australian men who mysteriously died in Vietnam.
Vincent Satuala Atulia, 24, and Andrew Colivas, 25, from Melbourne were holidaying with friends in south-east Asia when they died unexpectedly last Saturday.
Devastated relatives have described the pair as ‘God loving men’ and have launched separate online fundraisers to help bring them home, which have garnered more than $54,000 and $40,000 respectively.
However, Daily Mail Australia revealed on Wednesday that both men were convicted criminals who have been in and out of court over the past five years for various offences – including drugs and violence.
Now, Daily Mail Australia can reveal several underworld identities are listed as donors on Atulia’s fundraiser – including Bemir Saracevic and Faruk Orman.
Saracevic, who donated $500, was named the Australian boss of the outlaw gang in March last year – while Orman, who gave $1,000, is a gangland identity who was convicted of murder in 2002.
Orman always maintained he was innocent of the killing.
Orman’s murder conviction was later overturned because his lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, was a Victoria Police informant – and he was released in 2019.
Vincent Atulia, 24, died in Vietnam last Saturday
Bemir Saracevic (centre) is seen with fellow Comancheros Allan Meehan (left) and Tarek Zahed (right)
While both men’s fundraisers have received several sizeable donations each exceeding $1,000, Atulia’s has generated significant traction – with one mystery donor named only as ‘P W’ depositing a whopping $20,000.
Saracevic – who mutually follows Atulia on social media – is not the 24-year-old’s only outlaw associate.
Photos posted online show Atulia posing alongside former senior Mongols bikie Tyrone ‘Little Ty’ Bell, who left the gang to become a CFMEU representative in Victoria.
Atulia – a boxer – was also a member of the CFMEU and both men are members of the fighting scene in Melbourne.
The 24-year-old, who worked for a labour hire company, frequently shared photos of his lavish life style on social media, including him dressed in designer brands and thick gold chains, enjoying holidays, and posing in front of luxury cars.
Atulia was also arrested in 2019 after being involved in shooting up a home in Melbourne alongside Rebels bikie Scott Rye.
The revelation comes as rumours swirl within the two men’s social circles about how they died – which has yet to be publicly announced.
One source told Daily Mail Australia friends have been told the pair died after buying dodgy drugs while trying to secure ketamine.
‘The news going around is they bought drugs and it was laced with a fentanyl dupe and [they] overdosed,’ the source said.
How Andrew Colivas (left) and Vincent Atulia (right) died remains unclear, however, rumours are swirling within their social circles that their deaths were drug-related
Atulia also associated with former Mongols bikie Tyrone Bell (pictured)
Another source claimed there is a rumour circulating that the pair were shot in a drug deal gone wrong.
‘In recent years Vince has been getting into steroids and ice,’ the source said.
‘Vince played at St Kilda City in the Southern Football and Netball League and had a fearsome reputation.
‘St Kilda City is at Peanut Farm Reserve in St Kilda. Carl Williams used to have a apartment for business in the high apartment block next door.
‘Carl and Tony became involved with St Kilda City.’
Court records obtained by Daily Mail Australia show Atulia has been ordered to appear before court 78 times since 2019, while Colivas has 12 court appearances dating back to 2021.
Atulia’s attendances relate to 12 different matters including for driving, affray, burglary, fishing, and breaching court condition offences.
Atulia’s photos online show him decked out in designer gear, like the above Versace boardshorts
Another photo shows him posing alongside a Lamborghini
His most recent matter was in court on August 2, just three weeks before his death.
Colivas was charged on seven different occasions for offences relating to driving, affray, drugs, boating and refusing to comply with authorities. He was last in court in September last year.
In June 2020, Atulia was involved in the shooting up of a home in Ferntree Gully, in Melbourne’s east, while he was on bail for a previous offence.
Atulia and a group of men – which included Rebels bikie Scott Rye – travelled to the home, where one of the men’s ex-girlfriends lived, and fired into the top storey of the property before fleeing the scene.
No-one was hurt in the gunfire and Atulia along with four others later pleaded guilty to affray. Atulia also pleaded guilty to breaching bail and spent 35 days in prison.
When asked by the magistrate how he enjoyed his time in jail, Atulia told the court he found it ‘boring’, the Herald Sun reported at the time.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of a man who died in Vietnam as well as three other Australians.
‘We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,’ a spokesperson said.
‘Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.’
Colivas is pictured with his sister Catherine
Andrew Colivas’ sister (right) said her ‘heart aches’ in a tribute to her brother (left)
Atulia’s family described him as a young deeply religious man who dedicated his life to his family and friends.
He was also the sole financial provider for his family.
Colivas was also remembered as a religious family man and a talented athlete with a passion for boxing.
His sister Catherine Colivas, who has also struggled with court matters in recent years, broke her silence on Tuesday to pay tribute to her ‘big brother, protector and best friend’.
‘I can’t imagine this life without you, it has always been me and you,’ she wrote.
‘Nothing will ever be the same and no words can express the heartbreak I’ll feel every day until we meet again.
‘I’m going to miss your smile and unmatched energy.
‘Save a place for me up there Andy. I love and miss you so much.’
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk