Police say a woman who fled an abduction attempt in Dunedin faked the incident.

A teen who claimed two men tried to pull her into a car faked the story, police say.

The 18-year-old woman told police she was walking along Forth St, Dunedin, when she was grabbed by the back seat passenger of a parked vehicle about 4.25pm on May 7.

As the man was trying to pull her into the vehicle, the driver tried to push her from behind, she said.

She also told police she was able to kick backwards to hurt the driver and break the grip of the backseat passenger who was holding her wrists, before fleeing to safety.

A police spokeswoman said the complaint was found to be false after "a thorough investigation".

"Police are working closely with the family of the complainant and are unable to make further comment at this stage," she said.

Police thanked the public for their assistance.