False Claims: Security forces arrest 3, extort K500,000, and release them

Reports said that malicious media circulated fake news claiming that on 24 and 25 July, security forces checked locals’ mobile phones in Pyapon Township of Ayeyawady Region and arrested three people who were found with VPN applications in their phones. It also claimed that security forces let those three people after extorting K500,000 from each on 10 August.
Regarding the news, according to an official from the Township Administration Body, the actual situation was that security forces made surprise checks. At the same time, they carried out security operations around wards and villages of Pyapon Township for its safety. However, security forces did not arrest anyone who was found with the mentioned applications, and there was no extortion by security forces.
The government has declared CRPH and NUG as terrorist groups. Authorities allege that those terrorist groups and their allies are spreading propaganda to disrupt peace and incite fear among the public. The government has already warned that those sharing false information on social media and whoever is supporting or assisting these groups, which could cause public alarm, will be arrested and detained under the Counter-Terrorism Law and Electronic Transactions Law. People who ignored official warnings and shared fake news online are being arrested and taken to the relevant police station. — MNA/TRKM