Two men pretending to be United Nations officials were arrested on Saturday in the city of Yueyang, Hunan Province.

Wielding certificates that read "special pass of the United Nation's maintenance forces' general headquarters" and "work permit for global maintenance and liaison of world peace," the two men demanded the release of a prisoner on bail for medical treatment.

They presented their release permits approved by the nation's top leaders to Yueyang prison officers, Yangtze Information Daily reported, threatening to call Beijing's Zhongnanhai leadership compound.

The prison guard doubted their story and requested backup while pretending to cooperate with the UN officials.

When the relevant authorities arrived, one huxster reached for his phone and said he was calling a top official in Beijing, flashing photos of the leader and himself at bemused officers.

Police investigators said the conmen had been hired by the prisoner's relative for their far-reaching connections and ability to solve problems.