UN report estimates Asia-Pacific cyberscam losses reached up to $114 billion in 2025
A UN Office on Drugs and Crime report published in July 2026 estimated that victims of online scams in East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand lost between $88.3 billion and $114.1 billion in 2025. The losses represent at least a tripling compared to estimated losses of $18, $37 billion in 2023. Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia and Myanmar, has been identified as a hub for transnational crime syndicates running investment fraud and romance scams.
14
Divergence score
2 outlets covered it, splitting into 2 framing camps across 2 bias groups.
2 camps
2 bias groups
The spectrum · how 2 outlets placed this story
LeftCenterRight
South China Morning Post
Reuters
Supportive of action
Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
Alarmist
International angle
The split, in one line
Both outlets report the same UN findings but diverge on framing: SCMP leads with the $114 billion upper-bound figure and emphasizes tripling of losses since 2023, while Reuters anchors on the $88 billion floor and highlights evolving criminal tactics.
How each outlet covered it
No left-right split here
Coverage clusters in the center and international press. Here is each take as it stands.
Center & international coverage
“Asia-Pacific cyberscam victims lost up to US$114 billion last year: UN”
“Crime gangs snare more than $88 billion in scams in Asia-Pacific, UN says”
4 tracked claims across 2 outlets
Fact ledger
All4Claimed2Corroborated2
1/2
Claimed
The upper-bound estimate for 2025 Asia-Pacific cyberscam losses is $114.1 billion
Corroborated
Disputed
3 more tracked claimsSign up free to see the full ledger