It’s a different sort of scam. Mexican immigrants trying to set themselves up for a new life in the US are scamming border partrols by donning lycra and helmets and pretending to be racing cyclists.

It’s been a scam that’s been operating for about a year, but the border patrol officers, many of whom are keen cyclists, say they’ve now cracked the scam.

In the complex operation, the immigrants pay around $1500 for smugglers to provide them with bikes, and then pick them up once they’re through the checkpoint.

Apparently their hairy legs and less-than athletic physique caused questions be asked. “One guy was actually smoking as he was riding” said a border patrol guard.