A Melbourne lawyer has been charged by Hong Kong police for an alleged dine-and-dash spree, drawing comparisons to one of Australia's most iconic viral moments. Samuel Monkivitch has been likened to Jack Karlson, whose famous 'succulent Chinese meal' outburst became a beloved part of Australian pop culture.
Jack Karlson's Viral Legacy
Karlson was famously 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 that he was simply enjoying a 'succulent Chinese meal' has been viewed 8 million times since resurfacing on YouTube in 2009. Karlson became an Australian icon before his death in 2024.
Monkivitch's Alleged Offences
Monkivitch has been charged by Hong Kong police for his alleged dine-and-dash spree across the city. He is currently held in a Hong Kong prison on four charges of making off without payment and two counts of criminal damage. Hong Kong police arrested him 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. One video showed a staffer attempting 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.
Court Proceedings
Local media reported that Monkivitch was remanded in custody on May 7, the same day he faced 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 the two businesses, according to the South China Morning Post.
'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,' the report stated.
Background and Professional Ties
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.
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.'
Further Charges
Monkivitch's fresh charges relate to running out on bills at four restaurants, first 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.
Industry Outrage
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.
