Crossword Genius

Secret society member criminal men so fear (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

freemason

'secret society member' is the definition.
(the Freemasons are a secret society)

'criminal men so fear' is the wordplay.
'criminal' indicates an anagram.
'men'+'so'+'fear'='mensofear'
'mensofear' anagrammed gives 'FREEMASON'.

(Other definitions for freemason that I've seen before include "secret society member" , "lodger?" , "One on the square" , "Forenames (anag)" , "Fellow following secret order" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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