Board Thread:Skyrim/@comment-10989287-20130619190600/@comment-76.0.183.158-20130721045708

For the most part Hired Thugs are in fact sent if u are to steal or pickpocket someone but most commonly sent after certain quests are completed.

Now Shavari does skulk around and watch you and she can be seen every now and then and she may even send thugs though she is meant to watch you while in Riften and attack while out of the publics sight (i.e. inside the Ratways).

(I just gotten attacked by her today.)