The Information Team of State Administration Council reported that John Moe The, owner of the TikTok account “John (Palmistry),” was arrested after spreading false information claiming a major earthquake would strike on April 21, 2025.

According to the report, the TikTok user disseminated misinformation warning of a large-scale earthquake expected to hit on April 21. In response, security forces carried out a search operation on April 22 at his residence located on Shwe Nyaung Pin Road, Zone 21, extended Kwat Thit Ward, Myawaddy Ward, Monywa. He was taken into custody at the scene.

According to the investigation, he participated in protests in Monywa about (20) times after February 1, 2021, and the Monywa Police Station opened a case under Section 505-A of the Penal Code, but since he is a minor, the Monywa District Court ordered him to live under the guardianship of his parents.

In addition, on May 28, 2021, he traveled to KNDO Battalion (6) via Kawkareik and attended the terrorist training opened at KNDO Battalion (6) with (75) trainees. Then, the SAC information team stated that he collected donations for terrorist organizations online.

Then, while returning to Monywa in the third week of September 2021, he was arrested by security forces on October 30, and then on November 14, he was arrested by security forces in Monywa. A case was opened at Police Station No. 1 under Section 50(j)/52(a) of the Anti-Terrorism Law, and the Monywa District Court sentenced him to two years in prison in October 2022. He was detained at the Youth Detention Training School in Mandalay and released in June 2023, the information team said.

After being released from prison, John Moe opened a TikTok account under the name Johnmoe5.t in February 2024 with the aim of misleading the public by using astrology and posting false posts about terrorist organizations and earthquakes with the aim of causing public panic. Effective action will be taken against him according to the law, and effective action will be taken against those who spread similar false news in the future according to the Information Team of SAC.

Authorities emphasized that the prediction was entirely false and had caused public concern. The statement warned citizens not to believe or share unverified information, especially regarding natural disasters. It further advised the public to rely solely on official announcements from the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology for accurate and timely updates about natural hazards.