What does the cryptic crossword clue "Friendly con-artists abandoning female - they will cause trouble (9)" mean?

The definition is "they will cause trouble". The wordplay uses a deletion. WARM (synonym="friendly, as in a warm welcome") + AKERS (synonym="con-artists") = WARMAKERS; definition: "they will cause trouble" The answer is WARMAKERS.

Friendly con-artists abandoning female - they will cause trouble (9)

Independent Cryptic #11862 | 5 Down | 2024-10-16 flower

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