Business
Scams costing 33% more than $7b IMF loan | The Express Tribune

Global study finds Pakistan among top developing countries hit hardest by financial fraud with losses estimated at $9.
KARACHI:
Pakistan is among the top developing countries losing a large portion of its economy to financial scams, costing nearly 2.5% of its GDP, according to the Global State of Scams Report 2025 by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance and Feedzai.
Based on Pakistan’s current GDP, the 2.5% loss equals about $9.3 billion, 33% more than the country’s $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan, highlighting the staggering scale of damage caused by fraud and digital scams.
The report, which surveyed 46,000 adults across 42 markets, revealed that seven in ten adults globally encountered scams in the past year, with 13% facing attempts daily. Pakistan ranked sixth among countries with the lowest average loss per victim, $139 per person, but the cumulative effect translates into billions in national losses. Globally, $442 billion was lost to scams in the last year alone. The most common were shopping scams (54%), investment scams (48%), and unexpected money scams (48%). Wire transfers (29%) and credit card payments (18%) were the main channels used by scammers.
“We need to differentiate between financial frauds and scams,” said Rehan Masood, Senior Joint Director, Cyber Risk Management at the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Speaking at a JazzCashSBP awareness session for journalists, Masood said the central bank has strengthened its cybersecurity framework, making it nearly impossible to access accounts from unrecognised devices.
“No one can operate a bank account from an unknown device anymore. Even genuine customers must complete two-step verification and biometric checks,” he said. These measures, he added, have reduced misuse by 90% and could soon bring it near zero.
However, Masood noted most scams occur because customers share sensitive data such as PIN or verification codes. “This information is then used for unauthorised transactions or to trick victims into transferring money themselves,” he explained.
Digital frauds are rising as e-commerce and online payments grow. According to the report, Pakistan has become an easy target for scammers who exploit SMS, WhatsApp, and social media to lure users into fake investment schemes promising high returns. Victims often receive small profits first to gain trust before suffering major losses.
Online shopping scams are also spreading. Fraudsters pose as courier agents claiming a parcel needs verification and send fake links to steal card information. Others impersonate bank officials or police officers, urging victims to share PINs, OTPs, or passwords. Some send SMS messages warning of account suspension to extract details. Others pretend to be friends or relatives in emergencies.
Experts warn that vigilance is the only defence. Customers should never share banking details, PINs, or OTPs, and must verify all links before clicking. Banks never request such details over calls or messages.
Khayyam Siddiqi, Head of Corporate Communication at JazzCash, said protecting users is vital as Pakistan moves toward a cashless society. “Scam tactics evolve constantly, from phishing calls to fake wallet apps, so awareness is key. That’s why we’ve launched a nationwide campaign with SBP to educate users about scam techniques and safe practices,” he said.
The campaign is a joint effort of JazzCash, Mobilink Bank, and the Karachi School of Business & Leadership (KSBL), backed by the SBP, SECP, PTA, Karandaaz, GSMA, and the Pakistan Bankers Association. It marks a major step toward collective consumer protection and digital financial literacy in Pakistan.
Business
Mattel misses Wall Street estimates as North American sales sink

The Mattel, Inc. logo is displayed outside the headquarters of the toy company known for products including Barbie and Hot Wheels in El Segundo, California on June 8, 2023.
Patrick T. Fallon | AFP | Getty Images
Barbie-maker Mattel posted third-quarter results after the market close on Tuesday that missed analysts’ expectations as ongoing global tariffs continue to hamper the toy manufacturer’s sales in North America.
Shares of the company fell 4% in after hours trading.
Here’s what Mattel reported for its third quarter compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:
- Earnings per share: 89 cents adjusted vs. $1.07 expected
- Revenue: $1.74 billion vs. $1.83 billion expected
For the quarter ended September 30, the company reported net income of $278 million, or 88 cents per share, down from $372 million, or $1.09 per share, a year earlier. Adjusting for one-time items, including costs associated with restructuring and certain product recalls, per-share profit was 89 cents.
Net sales fell 6% to $1.74 billion, coming in short of Wall Street’s expectations.
This is the first time in three quarters that the toy giant has missed on both earnings and revenue expectations.
In May, Mattel pulled its annual financial targets and said it would increase prices for some products in the U.S. to counter higher input costs due to the Trump administration’s tariffs on key trading partners.
On Tuesday the company issued full-year guidance that calls for net sales to increase between 1% and 3% and for earnings per share to come in between $1.54 and $1.66.
“While our U.S. business was challenged in the third quarter by industry-wide shifts in retailer ordering patterns, the fundamentals of our business are strong,” Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz said in a release. “Since the beginning of the fourth quarter, orders from retailers in the US have accelerated significantly.”
Tariffs have put pressure on toy manufacturers industry-wide. Approximately half of Mattel’s global toy sales come from the U.S., and by the end of the year, less than 40% of Mattel’s product will be sourced from China, Kreiz noted on CNBC in May.
During the third quarter, sales in North America fell 12%, with the largest year over year declines in the company’s infant, toddler and preschool category. International sales meanwhile climbed 3%.
Overall, sales for two of Mattel’s largest toy brands saw declining sales: Global Barbie sales fell 17% from the same quarter a year earlier, and Fisher-Price sales dropped 19%. The company’s global Hot Wheels sales ticked up 8%.
Moving forward, Mattel has focused on expanding its entertainment offerings and employing new technology. On Tuesday, Mattel and Hasbro partnered with Netflix to capitalize on the success of the movie “KPop Demon Hunters” to offer dolls and other consumer products tied to the film.
Mattel is producing dolls, action figures, accessories and playsets and currently is taking pre-orders for a three-pack of dolls featuring Rumi, Mira and Zoey, the members of the fictional KPop trio HUNTR/X. Merchandise and toys from both companies will be available at retail in spring 2026.
Correction: Mattel reported net income of $278 million. A previous version of this article misstated the figure.
Business
Netflix shares drop after streamer misses earnings estimates, citing Brazilian tax dispute

Shares of Netflix fell around 5% after the company posted a third-quarter earnings miss after the closing bell Tuesday.
The streamer cited an ongoing dispute with Brazilian tax authorities for the weaker-than-estimated results.
“Operating margin of 28% was below our guidance of 31.5% due to an expense related to an ongoing dispute with Brazilian tax authorities that was not in our forecast,” the company said in a shareholder letter. “Absent this expense, we would have exceeded our Q3’25 operating margin forecast. We don’t expect this matter to have a material impact on future results.”
Revenue for the quarter rose 17%, in line with analyst expectations. Netflix said the growth was driven by membership gains, pricing adjustments and increased ad revenue. For the fourth quarter, Netflix expects revenue to rise 17% year over year as those trends continue.
Here’s how the company did, compared with estimates from analysts polled by LSEG:
- Earnings per share: $5.87 vs. $6.97, according to LSEG
- Revenue: $11.51 billion vs. $11.51 billion, according to LSEG
Netflix reported net income of $2.55 billion, or $5.87 per share, up from $2.36 billion, or $5.40, in the same quarter a year prior.
For the full-year, Netflix is predicting $45.1 billion in revenue, a 16% jump from the year prior, and in line with previous expectations of revenue growth of between 15% and 16%.
The company did alter its operating margin forecast for the year, stating that it now expects it to be 29% instead of the prior projection of 30%. Netflix cited the impact of the Brazilian tax matter for that change.
The company said it posted its best ad sales quarter ever during the quarter, with co-CEO Greg Peters noting that Netflix is on track to more than double ad revenue this year.
“Netflix had its best ad sales quarter to date, but still did not provide a figure for how large the ad business is,” said Ross Benes, senior analyst at EMarketer, in a statement. “This gives the impression that the sustained revenue growth achieved this quarter, and forecasted for next quarter, will predominantly continue to come from subscription fees.”
Netflix raised its prices in January, including the cost of its ad-supported tier.
But analysts are questioning if Netflix’s price-hiking power could be nearing its short-term peak. The company is expected to address questions during its earnings conference call Tuesday.
The streamer’s fourth-quarter slate of content contains a number of alluring titles, from the fifth and final season of “Strangers Things” and new seasons of “The Diplomat” and “Nobody Wants This” to Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” and Rian Johnson’s “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives out Mystery.”
Netflix is also still riding the coattails of “KPop Demon Hunters,” which was released on the platform back in June. The animated film has become Netflix’s most-watched film with more than 325 million views on the platform.
Netflix announced Tuesday it’s expanding the animated film’s consumer reach with a dual products partnership with leading toy companies Hasbro and Mattel. “KPop Demon Hunters” dolls, plush, roleplay items and themed games will be available at retail in spring 2026.
The company also noted that it is looking into incremental opportunities related to live experiences, publishing, beauty and lifestyle as well as food and beverages related to the film. “KPop Demon Hunters” is also returning to theaters once again during the Halloween holiday weekend.
This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.
Business
Netflix strikes ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ toy deals with both Mattel and Hasbro

Still from Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Netflix
Netflix is partnering with both Hasbro and Mattel to bring “KPop Demon Hunters” toys to shelves.
The animated film, which debuted on the streaming service in June, has become Netflix’s most popular film of all time, with more than 325 million views worldwide. Its popularity has spurred Netflix to release it twice in theaters — once in August for a two-day weekend event and again next week around Halloween.
Partnering with Mattel and Hasbro will allow Netflix to offer a suite of consumer products based around the film.
Mattel will handle dolls, action figures, accessories and playsets, while Hasbro will focus on plush, electronics, roleplay items and board games, the companies announced Tuesday. There will likely be some overlap in product categories between the two toy makers, however.
Mattel is currently taking pre-orders for a three-pack of dolls featuring Rumi, Mira and Zoey, the members of the fictional KPop trio HUNTR/X. And Hasbro’s first product is a “KPop Demon Hunters” themed Monopoly Deal game.
Merchandise and toys from both companies will be available at retail in spring 2026.
“Netflix, Mattel and Hasbro joining forces on this first-of-its-kind collaboration means fans can finally get their hands on the best dolls, games, and merchandise they’ve been not-so-subtly demanding on every social platform known to humanity,” said Marian Lee, Netflix’s chief marketing officer, said in a statement Tuesday.
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