Crossword Genius

Crooked scheme rascal detailed (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

scam

'crooked scheme' is the definition.
(a scam is a fraudulent scheme)

'rascal detailed' is the wordplay.
'rascal' becomes 'scamp' (synonyms).
'detailed' means to remove the last letter (the word must be end-less or 'de-tailed').
'scamp' with its final letter taken off is 'SCAM'.

(Other definitions for scam that I've seen before include "Fraud, trick (slang)" , "A modern kind of swindle" , "An informal swindle" , "fiddle" , "Fraudulent scheme, swindle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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