Ryan Cho, 27, allegedly filmed intimate footage of hospital colleagues using hidden cameras over 5 years.
A shocking case of privacy invasion has rocked Australia’s medical community after a Singaporean doctor was charged for allegedly recording over 460 hospital colleagues in staff toilets using concealed devices.
Alarming Discovery at Melbourne Hospital
On July 3, 2025, staff at Austin Hospital in Heidelberg, Melbourne, discovered a hidden mobile phone inside a mesh bag in a restricted staff toilet. This led to the arrest of 27-year-old Ryan Cho, a Singaporean trainee surgeon. Police revealed the device had been recording for a significant period before being detected.
Cho was charged on July 10 with stalking and using an optical surveillance device. Further investigations uncovered a disturbing pattern of behavior spanning multiple hospitals across Victoria.
Thousands of Intimate Videos Seized
When authorities raided Cho’s home, they seized over 10,000 files, including 4,500 intimate videos stored in folders named after alleged victims. Footage spanned from 2021 to 2025 and reportedly targeted at least 460 women and 100 men—mostly doctors, nurses, and paramedics.
The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre were identified among the affected institutions. Other unnamed hospitals in both Melbourne CBD and regional Victoria are now being investigated.
Sophisticated Surveillance Operation
Court documents revealed Cho meticulously installed recording devices in cubicles by attaching mesh bags to removable white hooks not issued by hospitals. He allegedly tampered with other cubicles—blocking them with toilet paper or damaging locks—to direct staff toward specific stalls with hidden cameras.
Police also found identical hooks and bags at his residence, further tying him to the operation. One phone contained a three-hour video showing Cho setting up the surveillance system.
Refusal to Cooperate and Bail Denied
Cho refused to provide passwords to his devices. He was rearrested on July 25 and slapped with five new charges, including three counts of producing intimate images, another charge of using an optical surveillance device, and one for failing to assist the investigation.
His bail was revoked by Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, citing flight risk as he has no strong ties to Victoria. His medical license, issued by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, has been suspended.
Larger Implications and Ongoing Investigation
Only five victims have been identified so far, with many more likely as authorities contact hospitals where Cho worked between 2020 and 2025. Police emphasized that this process “will take time.”
The case has drawn significant concern over privacy protections in medical institutions and highlights the growing need for security protocols within staff facilities.
The alleged actions of Ryan Cho have triggered a far-reaching investigation across Victoria’s healthcare system and stirred strong reactions in both Australia and Singapore. The breach of trust, especially in a profession grounded in care and ethics, has ignited urgent calls for stricter surveillance policies and psychological screening of medical professionals.
Sources: Must Share News (2025) , Mothership (2025)
Keywords: Ryan Cho, Singaporean Doctor, Hidden Camera, Hospital Toilets, Australia Crime, Victoria Police
