The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly intensified all social processes and has given rise to a series of negative social phenomena. In the article, the author considers only one of them — crime. The author analyzes the features of the criminal activity of the Russian population dur-ing the pandemic. The following preconditions for the criminalization of the Russian popu-lation during the pandemic are noted: uncontrollability of the process to prevent the virus from spreading; deterioration of the situation of the population; unsuccessful optimization of healthcare in previous years; lack of control over the activities of the political and economic elite, which controls the distribution of social benefits. An analysis of the criminal activity of the Russian population showed that it is characterized by both global trends and some specific characteristics. These characteristics include: the growth of banditry, extremism and organized crime; an increase in the number of grave and especially grave crimes; high levels of corruption and economic crime. Particularly alarming is the damage caused by white-collar crime, in particular, in the implementation of national projects. The risks of criminal activity are also highlighted: legal practice in relation to organized crime of business structures; fur-ther deterioration of the situation of the population; imperfection of the law regarding domes-tic violence; high level of corruption among officials; the rapid development of cyberbullying, leading to an increase in aggression and violence among underage youth. All of them act as risks of propagating both actual and “delayed” criminal activity.