Aussie lawyer charged over dine-and-dash spree across Hong Kong offers bizarre explanation for his actions

By MAISY RAE and WAYNE FLOWER, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 00:27, 10 June 2026 | Updated: 00:27, 10 June 2026 A high-profile lawyer who made global headlines with a bizarre dine-and-dash spree across Hong Kong has offered an extraordinary explanation for his antics. Melbourne man Samuel Monkivitch, 50, was arrested by Hong Kong police and charged over allegations he had dined and dashed from high-end restaurants and hotels between April 25 and May 5. Videos of the corporate lawyer enjoying what local media dubbed 'Overlord Meals' before allegedly fleeing without paying were shared online.  One video showed a staff member attempting to apprehend the lawyer before he broke away and fled, while another showed Monkivitch allegedly threatening to smash a bystander's head in for filming him. Last week, the lawyer pleaded guilty to multiple offences including fleeing a business without paying, and common assault. He was handed a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to pay back HK$16,000 (AU$2,900). However, Monkivitch has now offered an extraordinary explanation for his actions, claiming he was in an 'intimate relationship' with a 'high-profile woman' who had investments in a Hong Kong hotel chain where he could stay and eat for free.   But he claims his freebies came to an abrupt end when the woman's husband found out about their affair, The Australian reports.  Samuel Monkivitch (pictured) has gone viral for his 'Overlord Meals' in Hong Kong after 'dining and dashing' from a series of high end restaurants and hotels One video clip allegedly showed Monkivitch threatening to attack a witness who filmed him 'There was a high-profile and powerful female in Hong Kong who was providing financial support to me in terms of eating and accommodation,' Monkivitch said.  'I was obviously in an intimate relationship with her. But unbeknown to me, she was married. And, as I understand it, her husband has been quite instrumental in the circulation of CCTV footage of me leaving certain venues, which were the basis of the charges.' Monkivitch refused to name the woman or provide any evidence of their relationship, claiming the husband's influence was 'frightening'. However, he conceded he had been 'slightly derelict' by attending venues without a physical bank card. Monkivitch, who described himself as a 'legal consultant and merchant', is understood to have worked in finance, corporate, commercial and cybersecurity matters for Hong Kong firm KorumLegal.  KorumLegal has since distanced itself from Monkivitch, telling The Age he had not acted as a consultant there since October 2025.  'KorumLegal is aware of recent media and social media content involving a former consultant who has not been associated with the company since October 2025,' chief executive Titus Rahiri said in a statement. 'Neither the behaviour shown nor the individual reflect or represent KorumLegal, which operates with the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and respect for the law.' Monkivitch's antics have sparked outrage among the hospitality industry in Hong Kong All Jack Karlson wanted was to enjoy a succulent Chinese meal when Queensland cops arrested him in a case of mistaken identity Monkivitch's antics sparked outrage in Hong Kong's hospitality industry.  Witnesses claimed they were too scared to try and stop him due to his height and aggressive behaviour. 'He would pretend to be drunk and talk about no money,' one witness stated. The footage has been compared to one of Australia's most iconic viral moments - Jack Karlson's 'succulent Chinese meal' outburst. Karlson was caught on camera by Seven reporter Chris Reason on October 11, 1991, as Queensland police hauled him out of a Chinese restaurant. The video, in which Karlson told police he was enjoying a 'succulent Chinese meal', has been viewed 8million times since resurfacing on YouTube in 2009. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.