Fraudsters are caught with a collection of fake credentials after being taken to custody by Linyi police in East China's Shandong Province on Tuesday. Photo: Screenshot from the Sina Weibo account of Linyi police

A group of suspected fraudsters were arrested after trying to con local police into letting them go after presenting fake United Nations credentials during a routine check.

When police in Luozhuang district, Linyi, East China's Shandong Province demanded the suspects show their ID, one of them pretended to make a phone call to a high-ranking official telling an officer "I'm asking the Ministry of Public Security to come here and strip your skin off!" according to a video Linyi police released on its Sina Weibo account on Friday.

The police officer again showed his badge, telling the group they should cooperate and could report him to higher authorities later if they objected to the police request.

"I'm telling you, we are on a special mission!" one of the suspected fraudsters claimed.

"If any top secret is leaked you will be held responsible!" the man shouted.

He then showed bogus UN credentials, claiming they were given to him by the state security department. The police recognized them as fake at first glance.

The police also found a fake military armband, a prosecutor's certificate and a special law enforcement license that was supposed to have been issued by the UN.

The police video shows the group even had a fake firearms license that was issued by Li Hongzhang, a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) official.

The five suspects were taken into custody on Tuesday on fraud charges, the Linyi police said.