Families of individuals forcibly recruited into Myanmar's military junta told bno IntelliNews that so-called training instructors are extorting money from them.

Since the enactment of the military conscription law, the junta's military has been forcibly arresting civilians under the pretext of conscription and sending them to recruitment camps for military training.

During the two-month training period, new recruits are generally prohibited from using mobile phones. However, according to Ko Pathein (a pseudonym) from the Ayeyarwady region, the training instructors and so-called teachers allow recruits to use their phones to contact their families.

Ko Pathein's younger brother was taken from their home by junta soldiers, the ward administrator, and other military collaborators, and was forcibly sent to the military.

Currently, Ko Pathein’s brother, who is undergoing training against his will, has been contacting his family using Viber, frequently requesting money.

He has been sending messages saying he needs medical treatment for injuries sustained during training and has been asking their father for money. As a result, their father has been sending him whatever amount he requests.

Apart from medical expenses, families are also being asked for money under the pretence of replacing recruits with substitutes. The training instructors claim that if they receive money, they will arrange for the recruits to be replaced and even transported to liberated areas.

"My brother messaged my father in a way that made it seem like he was the one asking for money. He said that if we paid the battalion commander, they would arrange a replacement for him. Some of his fellow recruits were happy because their families had paid, and they were about to be released. That’s what he told my father in his messages," Ko Pathein explained.

The emotional manipulation involved phrases like "Don't you want your son to be free?" to coerce families into paying. Many families, out of desperation, have been borrowing money to comply, hoping their sons would soon be released.

"Later, we realised it was a scam. When my brother called, the phone number was still in their possession. They kept using it to message my father, pretending to be my brother, and extorted over MMK1mn ($475). When we confronted them, they said they would return the money, but we haven’t gotten anything back yet," Ko Pathein added.

Within a year of the conscription law taking effect, the junta has conducted up to ten batches of military training. On February 17, the junta’s propaganda Telegram channels announced the start of the 10th batch with accompanying photos.

Each training batch consists of 5,000 recruits, according to the junta’s plan. Many of these conscripts are being sent directly to frontline battles with limited training, leading to high casualty rates, according to resistance sources.

Due to the junta's forced conscription, young people seeking to escape are being assisted by ethnic armed groups to reach liberated areas. In an April 30, 2024, press conference, U Nay Phone Latt, spokesperson for the National Unity Government (NUG) Prime Minister’s Office, confirmed that efforts were being made to help those fleeing.

This assistance is coordinated by NUG’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management (MOHADM). Those wishing to join the People’s Defence Forces (PDF) can connect with the Ministry of Defence (MOD), while those seeking refuge can be transported to liberated areas with the help of ethnic armed groups, U Nay Phone Latt says.