A Facebook post claiming that the Santa Lucia Complex is recruiting 509 young Cameroonians for internships and pre-employment training has been debunked as a scam by PesaCheck. The post, which dates back to July 28, 2026, lists various positions available and provides details on application procedures and internship durations. However, PesaCheck found no credible information supporting the recruitment offer on the company's official platforms or through a Google search.
PesaCheck contacted Arthur Soh Takam, Regional Director of Santa Lucia supermarkets, who confirmed that the offer is fake and not affiliated with the company. This is not the first time PesaCheck has investigated similar claims, and they have consistently found them to be scams. The Santa Lucia Complex operates eight supermarkets in Douala and ten in Yaoundé, and typically posts job openings on its official platforms.
As part of its fact-checking efforts, PesaCheck has been working with Facebook and other social media platforms to identify and debunk potential misinformation. The organization aims to provide the public with a deeper understanding of the content they see on their social media feeds. PesaCheck's fact-checking process involves verifying information through various means, including contacting relevant authorities and searching for corroborating evidence.
The fake recruitment notice is part of a larger trend of scams targeting job seekers in Cameroon. PesaCheck's investigation highlights the importance of verifying information through reputable sources before applying for jobs or sharing personal details. The organization encourages the public to be cautious when encountering unsolicited job offers, especially those that seem too good to be true.
PesaCheck was founded by Catherine Gicheru and Justin Arenstein and is incubated by Code for Africa, a leading civic technology and data journalism accelerator on the continent. The organization focuses on verifying public financial information and testing the accuracy of media reports. PesaCheck's work is supported by the Deutsche Welle Akademie and a coalition of African media outlets and civic organizations.
The fact-checking process for this article was led by Stéphane Eyock, with editing by Josaphat Finogbé and approval by Doreen Wainainah, PesaCheck's editor-in-chief. PesaCheck's work is guided by a commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in public financial information. The organization's efforts aim to support the public's right to accurate information and to promote informed decision-making.
PesaCheck's debunking of the fake job recruitment notice serves as a reminder to the public to be vigilant when encountering unsolicited job offers. The organization encourages anyone who comes across suspicious content to report it through the relevant channels. By working together, PesaCheck and other fact-checking organizations aim to create a safer and more informed online environment.
Key points
- PesaCheck debunks fake job recruitment notice for Santa Lucia Complex as a scam.
- The fake recruitment notice claimed to offer 509 internships and pre-employment training opportunities.
- PesaCheck urges the public to verify information through reputable sources before applying for jobs or sharing personal details.
