A Singaporean medical trainee working in Melbourne has been arrested and charged over serious allegations involving unauthorised recordings in hospital toilets. The accused, identified as 27-year-old Ryan Cho, was employed at Austin Hospital at the time of the alleged incidents. Reports from Australian media suggest that authorities have uncovered more than 10,000 video and image files on devices seized during the investigation. The visuals were allegedly captured over a four-year span from 2021 to 2025.
On June 25, suspicions were raised when a staff member at Austin Hospital reported unusual loitering in the emergency department's staff toilets. The facility had already been under investigation due to repeated toilet blockages and damages, which police now believe were deliberate, intended to divert staff into cubicles where recording devices had been covertly installed.
On July 3, a nurse discovered a mesh bag containing a mobile phone in a staff toilet and reported it to hospital management. The same bag was found again by security personnel a few days later, prompting authorities to get involved. Police arrested Cho and seized two mobile phones, a laptop, a hard drive, and several mesh bags and removable hooks. These items were alleged to match those found in affected restrooms. Investigators later discovered similar hooks installed without authorisation across different hospital levels, including patient toilets.
Initial charges included stalking, and Cho was released on bail after his first arrest on July 10. However, on July 25, he was arrested again and denied bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 29.
Court documents revealed that the content allegedly recorded by Cho included videos focusing on the lower body regions of individuals using hospital showers or toilets. Many of the victims were female doctors, nurses, and other medical staff. The videos were allegedly catalogued and sorted into folders named after hospital locations such as Austin Hospital, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Some folders were labeled “Tier 1” or “Tier 2,” suggesting a disturbing level of organisation and prioritisation.
Investigators also found footage believed to have been taken outside hospital premises, possibly in private homes. Authorities allege that Cho refused to provide passwords to his seized devices, but forensic examinations eventually retrieved thousands of video files.
Senior Constable Narelle Baker described Cho in court as “calculated and obsessed,” stating that he invested significant time in secretly surveilling his colleagues. Police are now reaching out to other hospitals where Cho may have worked, as well as individuals who could potentially be victims.
The case has caused significant distress among hospital staff. Austin Health chief executive Jodie Geissler said in a statement that the organisation is prioritising the emotional wellbeing and safety of its staff. Support services have been made available to help employees cope with the fallout of the investigation.
The Straits Times has contacted Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information. In the meantime, the case continues to develop as police sift through the vast volume of material and engage with impacted institutions and individuals.
This incident has sent shockwaves through Melbourne’s medical community and raised broader concerns about workplace safety, privacy, and institutional security.
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