Kuala Lumpur, Oct 8 : A wave of excitement has run among people in Malaysia after reports emerged that a "dead mermaid" was found on the beach of an island off Sabah''s northern Kudat district.

In fact, a clip has also surfaced on YouTube of the "mermaid" lying dead on the shores of the island.

While the clip, under the heading "Dead Mermaid in Kudat", has been on the video-sharing website since Oct 3, tales of the mysterious find had begun much earlier.

However, the police have brushed off any talk of a dead mermaid.

"It is a hoax, someone is playing the fool," The Star Online quoted Kudat police chief Deputy Supt Dawi Ossen as saying.

He said they came to know about the discovery earlier this week, and had checked with the villagers of Pulau Balambangan where the "mermaid" was found.

"There was no such thing; neither had any body been washed ashore," Ossen said.

He further explained that the video clip did not show the island''s surroundings as claimed.

DSP Dawi added that a resort operator there had told police nothing unusual had been found on the island in recent weeks.

"I hope people don''t get taken in by the video clip, it is totally baseless. Most likely, it''s someone playing a trick," he added. (ANI)