Crossword Genius

A scam involving first of ripe fruit (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

acorn

'fruit' is the definition.
(I know that acorn is a type of nut)

'a scam involving first of ripe' is the wordplay.
'scam' becomes 'con' (both can mean a fraudulent scheme).
'involving' is an insertion indicator.
'first of ripe' becomes 'r' (1st letter of 'ripe').
'con' enclosing 'r' is 'corn'.
'a'+'corn'='ACORN'

(Other definitions for acorn that I've seen before include "Model in stone" , "From which a tall tree may grow" , "Fruit of the oak tree" , "Nut of oak tree" , "From which a mighty oak may grow?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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