Melbourne lawyer's serial dine-and-dash spree at five-star Hong Kong hotels stuns city: 'He would pretend to be drunk'

By WAYNE FLOWER, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 05:15, 21 May 2026 | Updated: 05:29, 21 May 2026 A Melbourne lawyer has been charged by Hong Kong police for an alleged dine-and-dash spree - and compared to one of Australia's most iconic viral moments. Samuel Monkivitch has drawn comparisons to Jack Karlson's beloved 'succulent Chinese meal' outburst after his antics in Hong Kong restaurants and five-star hotels.  Karlson was caught on camera by Seven reporter Chris Reason and his crew on October 11, 1991 when Queensland police hauled him out of a Chinese restaurant.  The video of the velvet-tongued rogue protesting to police he was simply enjoying a 'succulent Chinese meal' has been viewed 8 million times since resurfacing on YouTube in 2009. While Karlson became an Australian icon before his death in 2024, Monkivitch has been charged by Hong Kong police for his alleged dine-and-dash spree across the city.  He is currently sitting in a Hong Kong prison on four charges of making off without payment and two counts of criminal damage.  Hong Kong police picked him up amid allegations he dined and dashed from numerous 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 - have circulated widely online. Australian lawyer Samuel Monkivitch has gone viral for his 'Overlord Meals' in Hong Kong  One video showed a staffer attempt to apprehend the lawyer before he broke away and fled.  Another showed him allegedly threatening to smash a bystander's head in for filming him.  Local media reported Monkivitch was remanded in custody on May 7 - the same day he fronted court for fleeing restaurants without paying the equivalent of about $360.    He pleaded guilty to fleeing two businesses - a restaurant and a massage parlour - without paying, and to a common assault charge for striking the hand of a bystander who filmed him.  He was fined about $540 and ordered to pay the amounts owed to two businesses, the South China Morning Post reported.  'After paying his fine and leaving the courthouse, he was immediately intercepted by two men believed to be plain-clothes police officers and taken away in a vehicle,' it reported.  Monkivitch - who described himself as a 'legal consultant and merchant' - was accused of leaving four dining outlets with the intent of avoiding bills totalling HK$2,039, about $420.  The Australian, who remains registered with the Victorian Legal Services Board, claimed to have acted in finance, corporate, commercial and cybersecurity matters for KorumLegal - a Hong Kong-headquartered firm providing contract services mostly to fintech companies.  One video clip allegedly showed Samuel Monkivitch threatening to attack a witness who filmed him  Australian lawyer Samuel Monkivitch's image has since been posted outside Hong Kong restaurants  Australian lawyer Samuel Monkivitch (pictured) is giving Jack Karlson a run for his money KorumLegal has since distanced itself from Monkivitch, telling The Age he had not acted as a consultant there since October last year.  '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 fresh charges relate to running out on bills at four restaurants, firstly at a Chinese restaurant on April 25 in Hong Kong Island’s Central district, and then a buffet at the Island Shangri-La hotel on May 4.  Police allege he also destroyed a payment machine at the hotel.  He is then accused of fleeing after a meal at a Japanese restaurant that same day. The next day, he allegedly left without paying for a meal at the Kowloon Shangri-La hotel in the high-end tourist hub of Tsim Sha Tsui.  He has also been charged with destroying an iPhone 15 Pro Max in the same neighbourhood on the same day. 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 have sparked outrage among the hospitality industry in Hong Kong.  Witnesses claimed they were too scared to try and intercept him because of his height and aggressive behaviour.  'He would pretend to be drunk and talk about no money,' one witness stated.  Monkivitch’s case is due to return to court on June 5. 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? 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