A video of a Danish woman begging for help to find the father of her baby is a marketing hoax concocted by the Danish government, according to reports.

The video, which has received over 800,000 hits on YouTube since it was posted five days ago, features a young mother with a baby in her arms appealing for the father to come forward.

The woman claims the baby was the product of a drunken one-night stand.

"I'm doing this because I'm trying to find August's father," she said.

"I don't remember where you're from, I don't even remember your name.

"We ended up having sex ... the next morning when I woke up, you were gone."

The woman is actually an actress named Ditte Arnth Jorgensen and the baby "August" is not hers, according to Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet.

The video, which was accompanied by a website featuring photos of the woman and baby, was reportedly created by the country's tourism authority VisitDenmark and paid for with tax dollars.

"I'm really overwhelmed and touched by all your nice comments and support from all over the world," a message on the website said.

"It gives me hope that August's father will see the video."

Ms Jorgensen reportedly admitted that she was part of the hoax, but would not confirm that VisitDenmark was behind it.

The revelation is expected to cause outrage in the country, with one newspaper labelling the stunt "grotesque".

Jonas Klit Nielsen, a Danish-based expert in social media, told news agency VG Nett he did not believe the video would be effective in luring tourists to the northern European nation. "People who watch the video and find out that it is a lie get disappointed," he said. On closer inspection the video contains one hidden giveaway: a card on the wall behind her says "ad" in abstract lettering.

Many people who have commented on the video believe the clip to be real, and have expressed support for the mother.

"I think you are very brave to come out like that and I respect that about you ... you seem like a very nice girl," one comment read.

But since the video was revealed as a hoax, YouTube has been deluged with angry comments from viewers, saying it demeans the plight of single mothers, and cheapens the reputation of Danish women.

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