EXCLUSIVE
The national leader of the Comanchero motorcycle gang is among the top-paying donors to a fundraiser for one of two young Australians mysteriously killed in Vietnam.
Vincent Satuala Atulia, 24, and Andrew Colivas, 25, from Melbourne were on holiday in Southeast Asia with friends when they died suddenly last Saturday.
Despondent relatives describe the pair as “God-loving men” and have launched separate online fundraisers to bring them home, raising more than $54,000 and $40,000 respectively.
However, Daily Mail Australia reported on Wednesday that both men convicted criminals who have appeared in and out of court over the past five years for various crimes, including drug and violent offenses.
Now Daily Mail Australia can reveal that several underworld figures are listed as donors to Atulia’s fundraiser, including Bemir Saracevic and Faruk Orman.
Saracevic, who donated $500, was named the Australian leader of the criminal gang in March last year, while Orman, who donated $1,000, is a gang leader who was convicted of murder in 2002.
Orman has always maintained his innocence of the murder.
Orman’s murder conviction was later quashed because his lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, was an informant to Victoria Police. He was released in 2019.
Vincent Atulia, 24, died last Saturday in Vietnam
Bemir Saracevic (center) is seen with his fellow Comancheros Allan Meehan (left) and Tarek Zahed (right)
Both of the men’s fundraisers received significant donations of over $1,000 each, but Atulia’s has garnered a lot of attention. One mystery donor, known only as “PW,” donated a whopping $20,000.
Saracevic, who follows Atulia on social media, is not the 24-year-old’s only criminal accomplice.
In photos posted online, Atulia poses alongside former senior Mongols cyclist Tyrone ‘Little Ty’ Bell, who left the gang to become CFMEU representative in Victoria.
Atulia – a boxer – was also a member of the CFMEU and both men are active in combat sports in Melbourne.
The 24-year-old, who worked for a temp agency, regularly shared photos of his extravagant lifestyle on social media, wearing designer clothes and chunky gold chains, enjoying vacations and posing in front of luxury cars.
Atulia was also arrested in 2019 after being involved in a shooting at a house in Melbourne along with Rebels biker Scott Rye.
The revelation comes amid rumours circulating within the two men’s social circles about the manner of their deaths, which has not yet been made public.
A source told Daily Mail Australia that friends had heard the pair had died after buying dodgy drugs in an attempt to obtain ketamine.
‘The news going around is that they bought drugs and there was a fentanyl dupe in it and [they] “Overdosed,” the source said.
How Andrew Colivas (left) and Vincent Atulia (right) died is still unclear. However, there are rumors within their social circles that their deaths were drug-related.
Atulia also has a connection with former Mongols cyclist Tyrone Bell (pictured)
Another source claims that a rumor is circulating that the pair were shot in a drug deal gone wrong.
“In recent years, Vince has started using steroids and ice,” the source said.
‘Vince played for St Kilda City in the Southern Football and Netball League and had a fearsome reputation.
‘St Kilda City is located at Peanut Farm Reserve in St Kilda. Carl Williams used to have an apartment for business in the high rise apartment block next door.
‘Carl and Tony got involved with St Kilda City.’
Court documents obtained by Daily Mail Australia show Atulia has appeared in court 78 times since 2019, while Colivas has appeared in court 12 times since 2021.
Atulia has appeared in court in 12 different cases, including traffic violations, fights, burglaries, fishing and violations of the conditions of the court.
Atulia’s online photos show him dressed in designer clothes, such as the Versace board shorts above
In another photo he poses next to a Lamborghini
His most recent case was heard on August 2, just three weeks before his death.
Colivas was charged seven times with offences involving driving, affray, drugs, boating and refusing to comply with authorities, and was last in court in September of last year.
In June 2020, Atulia was involved in a shooting at a house in Ferntree Gully, in Melbourne’s east, while on bail for an earlier offence.
Atulia and a group of men, including Rebels biker Scott Rye, went to the home where the ex-girlfriend of one of the men lived and shot into the top floor of the property before fleeing the scene.
No one was injured in the gunfire, and Atulia and four others later pleaded guilty to affray. Atulia also pleaded guilty to violating bail and spent 35 days in jail.
When asked by the magistrate how he found his time in prison, 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 and three other Australians.
“We express our deepest condolences to the family during this difficult time,” a spokesperson said.
‘Due to our privacy obligations, we are unable to comment further.’
Colivas is pictured with his sister Catherine
Andrew Colivas’ sister (right) said her ‘heart aches’ in tribute to her brother (left)
Atulia’s family described him as a young, deeply religious man who devoted his life to his family and friends.
He was also the only one who provided for his family.
Colivas was also known as a religious family man and a talented athlete with a passion for boxing.
His sister Catherine Colivas, who has also faced legal battles 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’s always been you and me,” she wrote.
‘Nothing will ever be the same and there are no words that can describe the brokenness I feel every day until we see each other again.
‘I will miss your smile and unmatched energy.
“Save a spot for me up there Andy. I love you so much and miss you so much.”