Structural changes have been made to many of the pyramid schemes which have taken the Island by storm recently.

Organisers have also taken issue with the classification of the schemes holding that they are a form of "mutual assistance financial plans''.

Following a secret meeting on Monday night attended by hundreds of locals involved, The Royal Gazette has learned that some safeguards have been instituted.

A source claiming to be "at the very centre'' of the operations admitted that "a few unsavoury characters have been ejected'' from the programmes for both their manner and greedy intentions.

"A few unsavoury people were organisers of boards and they showed preferential treatment to their family members and friends,'' the source said.

"This caused a bump in the system and so we have put safeguards in place and those operators have been ejected and eradicated.'' The structural changes implemented, according to the source, will serve as a safety net so that anyone involved is able to recoup their initial investment.

"A financial underpinning has been put in place in the event unforeseen circumstances should arise,'' the source noted, "and it will be financial protection for all the participants.'' The group received expert advice from lawyer Delroy Duncan at their Monday night meeting. According to a participant, Mr. Duncan advised them that they were not involved in a pyramid scheme because no one person stays at the top reaping benefits.

"These mutual assistance financial plans have been erroneously explained to the people of Bermuda,'' the source claimed, "they are not remotely connected to pyramid schemes.

"We are just collectively assisting one another. Nobody has any intention in participating in anything illegal or immoral.

"You remember the scams with Nigerian letters a few years ago,'' the source continued, "we hate scam artists and scoundrels like that.'' The programmes are said to have become entwined in the "social fabric'' of Bermuda "with thousands of people from all walks of society involved''.

"This is a real social issue,'' the source said, "and has brought Bermudians back together.

"Bermudians are now talking to one another, to their neighbours, sitting down and discussing other issues, their goals and aspirations. It is a programme where we help each other acquire a little bit more for our financial benefit.

"We have begun again to start caring about each other and not be selfish and individualistic. It is helping to knit the social fabric of this country together. Making Bermudians socially conscious and we see them throwing apathy aside.'' While holding that the programmes have no racial bias, the source admitted that "mostly black people are involved'', adding the economic divide of the races has resulted in the programme promising black Bermudians "economic dignity'' for themselves.

"We are realising how to be more astute and take control of our own financial affairs,'' the source said.

"It was wonderful to see them (Bermudians) concerned about each other,'' at Monday night's meeting.

Seeking to use as evidence that there have been no complaints from people of "being burned or ripped off'', the source held that the programmes are proving a beneficial service to the community.

Both Police and the Attorney General's chambers have confirmed that pyramid schemes are illegal in Bermuda as they contravene the Lotteries Act.

Police Commissioner Jean Jacques Lemay last week ordered a complete investigation after alleagtions that Police officers were among those involved.