A man who impersonated a military officer and made threats at a phone shop in Pyin Oo Lwin Township, Mandalay Region, was arrested on September 6, according to the reports.

According to reports, on September 5 at around 11 a.m., an unidentified young man came to Thiha Mobile phone shop in Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay Region, asking about the price of an iPhone 13. After a staff explained, he said he would return later in the evening and left.

Around 7:30 p.m. the same day, the man returned intoxicated, looked at several phones, and complained that the available model was an iPhone 11 Pro Max instead of the iPhone 13 he wanted. He then claimed he was “Sergeant Major Soe Win” from the military, threatened the staff by saying the shop was linked to the PDF and that he would have them arrested, and warned that he would return in uniform. He left after making these threats.

Security forces investigated and identified the man as 24-year-old Maung Soe Win, from Ward 21, Moe Kyoe Pit village, Pyin Oo Lwin Township. He was confirmed not to be a soldier but had impersonated one with the intent to mislead the public and intimidate others.

He was arrested and charged under Pyin Oo Lwin Police Station Case No. (Pa) 185/2025, Section 505(a)/170 of the Penal Code for impersonation and causing public alarm.

Authorities warned that unscrupulous individuals sometimes impersonate military or government staff to threaten or deceive the public with the aim of undermining the government. Citizens are urged to immediately report such suspicious activities to the nearest authorities or police stations.