calls through their telephone lines.

This week detectives revealed they had received reports from one company which ended up being a victim of the scam.

Det. Con. Cal Smith explained how the con artist dialled the main switchboard number and asked for extension number 9011.

But that number will usually put the caller to an outside line and then the international operator, allowing the hoaxer to then phone overseas at the company's expense.

"We have been informed of someone calling large companies and requesting extension 9011,'' Det. Con. Smith said.

"Most companies don't have that many extensions but what we have found is that it switches the call to the international operator.

"We are asking all businesses to make their staff aware of people calling up and asking for extension 9011.

"What makes this annoying is that this man can become abusive, if the switchboard operator says that the company has no such extension he'll start demanding to be put through and become aggressive.'' The scam became popular both in the UK and Canada recently. But this is the first reported case in Bermuda.

And Det. Con. Smith warned that engineers would be able to trace calls.

New train to appear The public are being asked for their cooperation when a new commuter train pulls into the city next week.

The Corporation of Hamilton is running the train, which measures 60 feet, from Bulls Head car park to City Hall in the morning and back again in the evening.

For the first day, Monday, it will be free but thereafter there will be a charge.

Corporation Secretary Roger Sherratt asked the public to be considerate as the train winds its way through the city.

Special stops have been provided but there could be some hold-ups.

In addition, the train will run on Front Street, taking tourists around the city.