Myanmar arrests astrologer for earthquake prediction
Analysis based on 6 articles · First reported Apr 24, 2025 · Last updated Apr 26, 2025
This event has a limited direct market impact, primarily affecting the reputation of John Moe and highlighting the challenges of misinformation on social media platforms like ByteDance — TikTok Shop. The underlying natural disaster in Myanmar, however, has significant humanitarian and economic consequences for the nation.
John Moe, a 21-year-old astrologer with over 300,000 followers on ByteDance — TikTok Shop, was arrested by the military government of Myanmar for causing public panic. He had posted a video on April 9, predicting a 'very strong' earthquake would hit 'every city in Myanmar' on April 21. This prediction came just two weeks after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake on March 28 killed over 3,700 people and displaced 60,000 in Myanmar, prompting a rare request for foreign aid. Experts, including the United States — United States Geological Survey, reiterated that earthquake prediction is scientifically impossible. John Moe's video, which garnered over 3 million views, led many residents in Yangon to camp outdoors on the predicted day, fearing for their safety. His ByteDance — TikTok Shop account, titled 'John (Palmistry)', has since been taken down. The military government of Myanmar stated that action would be taken against those spreading fake news.
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