Tale concocted to arouse sympathy (3,5)

I believe the answer is:

sob story

(Other definitions for sob story that I've seen before include "Account intended to evoke sympathy" , "Pitiful tale told to arouse sympathy" , "Tale of misfortune" , "Sentimental tale designed to arouse sympathy" , "Account intended to arouse sympathy" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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