THE amount of large-scale fraud dropped by 71 per cent to £192 million last year compared to £667 million in the previous 12 months, according to figures from finance experts KPMG Forensic Accounting.

It was the first time since 1996 the upward trend in major fraud, those cases involving more than £100,000, has been reversed.

Accounting partner Richard Powell, who is based in Manchester, said: "The figures belie the true extent of fraud cases. 2000 was a record year for our fraud investigation practice. The figures seem to indicate that fraud victims are trusting more to the private sector than the court system to pursue their cases."