A Russian police officer dressed up as a young businesswoman to save her from a gang of criminals.

Igor Selendey impersonated the 27-year-old after police in Ulyanovsk received a report that a gang of criminals was planning on attacking the young woman in her apartment.

Police chiefs agreed the job was too dangerous for a female police officer and rather chose Selendev, a marksman and judo martial arts expert, for the job.

The officer wore a wig and makeup borrowed from a local theater, shaved his face three times in a row, and even put on a nightie for the role.

At midnight a knock was heard on the door and a voice asked the owner to receive some documents. The undercover officer opened the door and was threatened by two masked men who demanded money.

Selendev, initially maintained his disguise and pleaded for the intruders not to kill 'her' before overpowering them both, reports Pravda. The thieves were already handcuffed and unconscious by the time Selendev's colleagues rushed in from the next room.