I decided to put my theory to the test cuz I'm pretty bored. Made a new char, unlocked all the basic skills, equipped him with some stuff like a normal new char would have, walked into Brodgar and the first guy I meet is called Hamsuke, he lives in the plot with the great hall.
This is how that conversation goes:
Then I walk away and I get these PMs:
I decide to go walk around a bit more until I see another chap who looked friendly enough so I approached him to say hi and this is what happens:
Bear in mind at this point I had done pretty much nothing to indicate that I was a "spy", yet without saying a word he just murders my char