A concerning incident has emerged from Shwe Lin Ban Industrial Zone in Hlaing Tharyar Township, Yangon Region, where young men were deceived into military recruitment under the false pretense of a well-paying security job. Two 25-year-old men from Thanatpin Township, Bago Region, Maung Zaw Htet Lin and Maung Ye Naung, were lured by an advertisement promising a monthly salary of 510,000 kyats for a security position. The young men traveled to Yangon on May 4 to apply for what they believed would be legitimate employment opportunities.
Upon arriving in Hlaing Tharyar Township, the two men were met by two individuals in civilian clothing on motorcycles. They were subsequently transported via taxi to the Danyin Gone military recruitment center in Insein Township. Their mobile phones were confiscated, effectively cutting off all communication with their families. It wasn’t until May 8 that they managed to contact their families by paying to use a soldier’s phone within the recruitment center, finally revealing their situation and location. Prior to their arrival in Yangon, the young men had submitted their personal information and photographs via Viber, believing they were applying for a security position that would require three months of training. Instead, they found themselves forced into military training with no option to refuse.
The victims’ friend has warned others about the deceptive recruitment tactics, urging young people not to trust online advertisements or leaflets promising high salaries and employment opportunities. The two young men are now scheduled to attend the 13th intake of military training this month, having been trapped in a systematic scheme designed to forcibly recruit civilians into military service. This incident highlights the ongoing practice of deceptive recruitment methods being used to bolster military numbers, taking advantage of young people seeking legitimate employment opportunities in a challenging economic environment.
