swindlers and conmen in their companies.

They are being urged in a survey to reveal details of everything from petty theft by sales staff to complex scams by top executives.

The study also wants to know if they have been ripped off by competitors. The "fraud awareness survey'' is being carried out by Hamilton accountants Butterfield and Steinhoff, who believe that crime is rising in Bermuda due to tough economic times.

The firm is sending a probing questionnaire to more than 300 companies across the Island, promising the names of businesses and individuals will not be revealed.

But it plans to compile the general findings of the survey by the end of March and use them to recommend how companies can protect themselves from fraudsters.

B & S say they will be "publishing some preliminary results in February'' but have not yet decided whether to make their final report public.

In a letter sent to managers with the questionnaire, partner Mr. Charles Kett says: "There has been an increase in the incidence of fraud, both nationally and internationally, as a result of the worldwide recession.

"As a service to the corporate community, Butterfield and Steinhoff is undertaking a Fraud Awareness Survey of a cross section of businesses in Bermuda.

"The objective is to highlight areas of concern and bring them to the attention of the managers of businesses.'' Mr. Kett told The Royal Gazette the survey was based on a similar one carried out by a related firm in Canada about a year ago.

"The aim is to ascertain middle and senior management's perception of the causes and detection of fraud -- not necessarily to do a survey on fraud incidents, but on safeguards and preventive measures.

"The objective of the exercise was to be able to tell businessmen if they were being a little lax in a few areas.'' And it might lead to business for B & S, he said.

"If we can point out areas of misconception or misunderstanding then we might be able to help them prevent fraud in the future.

"If they suspect that they have a fraud we can go in and provide adequate proof that one has occurred.

"And we would be able to quantify the amount of a loss if it became necessary for insurance recovery or a court case.'' Asked if Police would be sent the final report, Mr. Kett said: "Whether we actually publish the overall results, we haven't decided yet.

"We'll probably see what kind of response we get. If we decide to publicise it, if it's a significant enough set of results and anyone is interested, we'd probably make it available to them.'' He added the survey would try to find out how much fraud was on the increase.

"We do notice that there have been some highly visible cases appearing in the Press lately.

"We're trying to find out if there is any particular cause that's leading to this, whether it's opportunity, the economic climate or just a greater visibility.'' Managers believed they were just uncovering the "tip of iceberg'' of fraud, he said.

"Anybody you talk to on this will say the problem is probably bigger than it seems.

"It's perhaps a problem that exists and we'd like to help our clients deal with it so it doesn't happen in their premises.'' Reported crimes of fraud and false pretences have risen sharply in the last four years, Police figures show.

There were 402 cases in 1988, 371 in 1989, 622 in 1990 and 645 in 1991. Police spokesman Sgt. John Dale said: "We can see nothing wrong with this survey. We welcome anything which helps to reduce crime and if it's seen to be helping the community that's OK by us.''