The men had turned up at the house posing as policemen from Bukit Aman federal police headquarters and asked Sharlinie's family for a large copy of her picture, claiming to have seen her but without revealing any details.

They asked many questions about the girl who has been missing since Jan 9.

They left five minutes later, but Sharlinie's family became suspicious and, together with neighbours, searched for the two men.

When they found the men, they brought them back to the house.

One of the men then admitted that they were not policemen and begged Sharlinie's family for forgiveness.

The neighbours were furious and began to assault them but one of the men managed to escape on a motorcycle. His accomplice was handed over to police.

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Arjunaidi Mohamed confirmed the incident.