‘Mother figure’ to jailed Aussie Adriana Matak speaks out

A woman who says she was a “mother figure” to alleged Aussie con artist Adriana Matak has revealed how husband Luka Matak changed her.

Exclusive: A woman who once considered herself a “mother figure” to an alleged Australian con artist in Croatia has been contacted by more than 30 furious investors wanting to track Adriana Matak down.

Sydney-born wedding planner Branka Cubelic met Mrs Matak through an Australian expat, well before she coupled up with now husband and fellow alleged fraudster Luka Matak.

Ms Cubelic, who runs an international wedding planning and corporate events company in the capital Zagreb and employed Mrs Matak for two years, said the people contacting her for information were from multiple countries.

“I’ve been contacted by people in Dubai, and Australia and London, something like 30 people who have (allegedly) lost money to them,” said Ms Cubelic.

Adriana Matak with Luka Matak, 31, both formerly of Sydney, are being held in a Croatian prison. Picture via www.adrianakupresak.com

Mrs Matak, 36, and Mr Matak, 31, are being held in Remetinec prison in Zagreb, while authorities investigate them for allegedly defrauding five people in Croatia of about 350,000 euros ($587,000). Ms Cubelic is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Former clients estimate Mr Matak was given at least 2.5m pounds ($4.9m) from investors who were promised returns of up to 20 per cent a year.

“We’re not talking 4 million dollars, we’re talking more like four million pounds – and the rest, it’s a lot more elaborate,” Ms Cubelic said.

Ms Cubelic recalled feeling sorry for Mrs Matak when she told her of her alcohol battle four years ago.

“I felt sorry for her, alcohol is a big thing to admit, she was a fellow Australian trying to make her way in Croatia, I was a mother figure to her for a few years,” said Ms Cubelic.

“I wanted to give her a helping hand, she was trying to get clean and was desperate for a fresh start.

“I gave her a part time job for two years, she did really well, she cleaned up and was on track, but then Luka came along, she met him on the internet and everything changed.

Luka and Adriana Matak allegedly defrauded five people in Croatia of about 350,000 euros ($587,000). Picture: Supplied

“He wore tracksuit bottoms and was also from Sydney, he wasn’t smart at all, but suddenly he had money and was dressing in sharp suits and Rolex watches.

“She changed, too, she’d wear Versace and showed off expensive handbags and was drinking again.”

Ms Cubelic said Mr Matak asked her to “invest whatever money you have”, promising “a significant profit”.

“How can a man who was 30 with no experience of money markets claim to have made big money so quickly?” she asked.

“I didn’t invest because I didn’t believe him and I didn’t have the money.

“They didn’t worry about who they targeted.

“He and Adriana dreamt of a big life, Adriana wanted to be someone rich in beautiful clothes, but it doesn’t come overnight.

“She dropped all her friends from Croatia, including me, when she met Luka.”

Ms Cubelic said she was shocked to hear of Mrs Matak’s arrest.

“Adriana was a good worker, we worked her up, I was totally taken aback when I heard she had been arrested,” she said.

Originally published as ‘Mother figure’ to jailed Aussie Adriana Matak speaks out