Crossword Genius

Miserly old person, evidently scammed to begin with, is upset (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mopes

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'upset' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both states of affairs as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'miserly old person evidently scammed to begin with' is the wordplay.
'to begin with' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'miserly old person evidently scammed' is 'MOPES'.

'is' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mopes that I've seen before include "Broods about poems" , "Moons around" , "Behaves in a depressed or aimless way" , "Hangs about moodily" , "Hangs around apathetically" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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