A MAJOR Trading Standards investigation into claims an advertising salesman duped dozens of shopkeepers is drawing to a conclusion.

The Borough of Poole said its enquiries into Nigel Hallett had become a large-scale fraud investigation with a number of complainants.

Mr Hallett visited numerous small businesses across the county, selling advertising space in a new high-end “black book” directory he was producing.

However, traders were concerned when the deadlines for publication passed with no sign of the promised directories.

Mr Hallett told the Echo that the Bournemouth and Poole publications had been delayed because he had suffered health problems. He promised businesses the directories would be published last summer, but a year after they handed over their money, traders spoken to by the Echo said they had yet to see a directory.

A spokesperson for the Borough of Poole said it was still compiling evidence from businesses Mr Hallett had sold advertising to in Bournemouth and Poole and had widened the investigation to encompass Wimborne and Christchurch.

A council spokesperson added: “Our investigation is reaching its conclusion and we are considering what enforcement options to take.”

One Southbourne trader who handed over money to Mr Hallett said he had recently been back in Southbourne High Street, attempting to sell advertising space to a newly opened business.

This was reported to Poole’s trading standards department, who visited the area and spoke to businesses.

“I just know I’m not going to get my money back but it would be good to see this investigation reach a conclusion,” the trader said. “There are so many businesses left out of pocket.”

Attempts to contact Mr Hallett were unsuccessful.