Overview

• John Moe The, a TikTok astrologer with over 300,000 followers, was arrested in Monywa for falsely predicting a massive earthquake in Myanmar.
• His April 9 video, viewed 3.3 million times, warned of a 'very strong' quake within 12 days, prompting some residents to flee tall buildings and live on the streets.
• The prediction came as survivors of the March 28 earthquake, which killed over 3,700 and displaced 60,000, continue to face aftershocks and humanitarian challenges.
• Myanmar's military government cited its fake news law in detaining John Moe The and warned of further action against similar misinformation.
• Experts, including the US Geological Survey, emphasize that predicting earthquakes in advance is scientifically impossible.