Active as a swindler? (5)
I believe the answer is:
doing
'active' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'as a swindler?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'as' could be 'in' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'in' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'dog' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for doing that I've seen before include "Execution" , "Working" , "thrashing" , "Effecting" , "visiting as a tourist" .)