Surgical resident Ryan Cho, a 28-year-old medical trainee from Singapore, faces serious criminal charges after reportedly recording hundreds of women in hospital bathrooms in Melbourne, Australia. The allegations include stalking, producing intimate images, and secretly installing surveillance devices, amounting to over 130 charges, as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on August 21. The situation has escalated, with Cho’s defense barrister, Julian McMahon, suggesting that the number of charges might increase substantially in the coming months.
Cho’s actions involve a disturbing level of surveillance. He allegedly operated a large-scale operation during his residency at three major Melbourne hospitals: Austin Hospital, Royal Melbourne Hospital, and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Investigators found approximately 4,500 intimate videos featuring at least 460 women between the years 2021 and 2025. Crown prosecutor Russ Hammill characterized the scope of the allegations as nearing the obsessive, highlighting the extensive nature of Cho’s misconduct.
The case came to light when an employee at the Austin Hospital discovered Cho’s mobile phone, which contained some of the recordings. Following this revelation, hospital authorities suspended Cho on July 8. Just two days later, police arrested him, emphasizing the urgency and severity of the allegations. While the court noted there was no evidence of Cho sharing the recorded footage, the mere existence of such an extensive archive raises significant concerns.
On August 22, Cho was granted bail, albeit under strict conditions. These include surrendering his passport, checking in with police three times a week, and being barred from possessing any recording devices or entering hospitals without a valid emergency reason. His parents, who relocated to Melbourne from Singapore just a few months prior, were required to pay a surety for his bail, and Cho was ordered to live with them. His father, Wilson Cho, expressed shock at the allegations, claiming he had “no idea” about his son’s actions before the arrest.
As the legal proceedings move forward, Cho is set to return to court in November, and the full extent of his alleged crimes remains to be seen. This case raises critical questions about workplace safety and privacy and highlights broader issues related to trust in healthcare environments. The revelations surrounding Cho’s actions reflect a troubling abuse of power and a significant breach of the trust placed in medical professionals.
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