MORE than 200 people have fallen victim to a growing scam targeting job seekers with false promises of employment in mines, the Occupational Health and Safety Institute (OHSI) has revealed.
In a statement OHSI senior public relations officer Elezeti Nyambi said fraudsters are masquerading as contractors and employers, conducting deceptive recruitment campaigns at churches, funerals, and on social media platforms.
Nyambi added that victims were being duped into paying for fake Medical Fitness Examinations, commonly referred to as Silicos Exams, which are falsely claimed to be required for mine work.
The scam has particularly affected communities in Copperbelt and North-Western Provinces, with OHSI confirming that the Institute has received over 200 complaints during the first quarter of 2025 alone.
“These individuals are being misled into believing they are being offered jobs, only to be conned into paying for non-existent medical exams,” said Elezeti Nyambi, OHSI’s senior public relations officer.
OHSI clarified that it does not operate through agents and does not accept payment via mobile money.
Nyambi stated that all payments for medical examinations must be made in cash at OHSI offices in Kitwe, Lusaka, or Solwezi, where official receipts are issued.
“OHSI does not have agents to receive money or conduct Medical Examinations of its behalf.
OHSI does not receive Medical Fitness Examination Fees via Mobile Money. Medical Fees are paid in Cash at the OHSI Cashier’s offices in Kitwe, Lusaka and Solwezi, after which a receipt is generated and issued to the payer.”
“OHSI Fees are stipulated as follows;
Ordinary (Pre-Employment Examination) : K507. Express (Pre-Employment Examination) : K590. Periodical (In-Employment Examination) : K367. Exit Medical Examination (Discharge) : K600 and Post-Employment Examination (Ex-Miners) : K600,” said Nyambi.
The institute stated that exams are only conducted at OHSI’s official facilities or, in special cases, at employer premises under a formal agreement.
Nyambi urged the public to be cautious and to verify information before making any payments.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, May 20, 2025
