Issues, Workarounds & Localization

Ok, I know it was stupid, but bare with me.

I was in one of my old Iterions, the level 1 or 2 one that used to be called an Iterion and is now a Nereum or something...

And I happened across a loot can.

I know it was stupid, I know I should have just kept on flying but...

I looted that can... in High Sec.

And I ran off and got away scot-free.

But I stuck around, I flew around to some of the planets, and the moons and stuck around in system. I knew I should have waited but I got greedy. As I was flying away the first time, I saw a second can. And so, just before my Criminal Timer ran out... I went back for the second one. No one was messing with me yet... so I looted it.

And much NOT to my surprise, there was a HAC and a Stabber ready and waiting for me... on a High Sec gate no less. And so I have my ship blasted out from underneath my butt... however... the strangest thing happened after that.

I did not accept a duel, I did not initiate a duel ( I was in a pod, I would have to be suicidal) but suddenly I see a duel counter on my screen and I am in High Sec in my POD getting it blasted out from under my rear.

I have been playing this game since 2010 when I started playing it in Iraq and, I remember when CCP brought out the Dueling system not long ago. My question however is this...

... Can anyone tell me what the heck happened and WHY I was suddenly in a duel I didn't ask for or accept in my POD???

Is there a stipulation in the rules now that if you do something criminal you are automatically in a duel or something? I KNOW ANYONE could attack my ship when I get a criminal timer on me but, how were they able to POD me in High Sec?

I am a little confused on the rules here. I know if I attack someone unprovoked I get a criminal timer and CONCORD comes in and blasts me but... can I get podded too now?