Hold up... [Skyrim] 

if you steal something from an NPC the game can send thugs "hired" by that NPC. The contract note says which NPC "hired" them (Septimus Sigmus, the NPC with him while he was attacked)

@@puppylova9546 oooh lol

@@puppylova9546 NPCs can also hire thugs if the player kills someone the NPC likes.

I've only pickpocketed enemies such as Bandits & Forsworn, but then I just straight up kill them all afterwards. Funny thing is, even though I left no survivors, a Forsworn that I had pickpocketed and then killed, had apparently posthumously hired thugs to go after me. Even though she, and all other Forsworn in that camp were killed, she somehow put a bounty on my head from beyond the grave. I fucking love this game, man...

My liege, I have uncovered the plot lead by Septimus Signus consisting of hiring Septimus Signus to assassinate Septimus Signus. Signed, your loyal spymaster, Septimus Signus.