For a limited time, the shadows of Tamriel are more profitable than ever as the Crime Wave mini-event rolls in. Running from May 1 through May 6, 2025, this event turns the criminal underworld into a lucrative playground for those willing to bend or break the law. Whether you’re a seasoned thief, a fresh-faced outlaw, or just a casual pickpocket looking to turn a quick profit, now is the perfect opportunity to embrace your darker impulses and profit handsomely from them.
During the event period, engaging in activities tied to the Justice system will yield significantly boosted rewards. Pickpocketing innocent citizens, committing murder, and looting from Thieves Troves and Lockboxes all come with more enticing payoffs. Specifically, interactions with Fences are doubled, meaning you can launder or sell more stolen items than usual, and the amount of gold you receive for selling stolen goods is increased by 25%. These benefits aren’t just standalone—they work in tandem with existing bonuses such as the Legerdemain passives “Haggling” and “Trafficker,” allowing you to maximize your profits.
As you delve deeper into the criminal underworld, keep an eye out for the coveted Pouch of Ill-Gotten Goods. These special reward containers are earned every time you complete daily quests from the Dark Brotherhood or Thieves Guild during the event. However, repeatable non-daily quests—like those issued from the Thieves Guild tip board, such as “The Covetous Countess”—don’t qualify, likely because certain characters aren’t feeling particularly generous during this crime spree.
But your chances of securing these valuable pouches aren’t limited to quest completions. Any criminal action you take—whether it’s a successful pickpocket or rifling through the belongings of someone you’ve, shall we say, permanently silenced—has a chance to yield a pouch. The odds of receiving one increase in direct proportion to the size of your bounty. In short, the more notorious you become, the more lucrative your heists can be. Just remember, guards are ever watchful, and getting caught means your ill-gotten gains could vanish along with your freedom.
Each Pouch of Ill-Gotten Goods contains a guaranteed piece of contraband that you can fence for gold, and may also offer a variety of additional criminally-themed treasures. These include furnishings acquired through theft, newly added stolen décor items, and consumables like Rogue’s Potions and Monk Disguises. There’s also the possibility of finding a new, tradeable item that grants experience toward your Legerdemain skill line—perfect for leveling up your sneaky side. And if you’re lucky, you might find one of the coveted bounty pardons inside, with a rare chance at the ultimate prize: a pardon worth up to one million gold. That kind of clemency doesn’t come cheap, and one can only wonder what crimes would necessitate such a massive buyout from justice.
It’s important to note that this event operates entirely outside of official channels, and as such, the Impresario is steering clear of the whole affair. There will be no Event Tickets awarded for your underhanded deeds—only the riches and rewards that come from a life of crime.
So, if you’ve ever wanted to slip into the shadows and make a fortune the dishonest way, this is your moment. The guards might not approve, but your coin purse certainly will. Just remember one thing: crime may pay, but only if you don’t get caught.
