Between extortion and snatching, which offense is more severe in Vietnam?

Between extortion and snatching, which offense is more severe in Vietnam? - Image from Internet

Pursuant to Article 170 and 171 of the Crimnal Code in 2015 stipulating extortion and snatching as follows:

Article 170. Extortion

1. Any person who uses violence, threat of violence otherwise intimidates another person to obtain his/her property shall face a penalty of 01 - 05 years' imprisonment.

2. This offence committed in any of the following circumstances carries a penalty of 03 - 10 years' imprisonment:

a) The offence is committed by an organized group;

b) The offence is committed in a professional manner;

c) The offence is committed against a person under 16, a woman whose pregnancy is known by the offender, an old and weak, sick or defenseless person;

d) The property obtained is assessed at from VND 50,000,000 to under VND 200,000,000;

dd) The offence has a negative impact on social safety, order and security;

e) Dangerous recidivism;

3. This offence committed in any of the following circumstances carries a penalty of 07 - 15 years' imprisonment:

a) The property obtained is assessed at from VND 200,000,000 to under VND 500,000,000;

b) The offender takes advantage of a natural disaster or epidemic to commit the offence.

4. This offence committed in any of the following circumstances carries a penalty of 12 - 20 years' imprisonment:

a) The property obtained is assessed at ≥ VND 500,000,000;

b) The offender takes advantage of a war or state of emergency to commit the offence.

5. The offender might also be liable to a fine of from VND 10,000,000 to VND 100,000,000 or have all or part of his/her property confiscated.

Article 171. Snatching

1. Any person who snatches another person's property shall face a penalty of 01 - 05 years' imprisonment.

2. This offence committed in any of the following circumstances carries a penalty of 03 - 10 years' imprisonment:

a) The offence is committed by an organized group;

b) The offence is committed in a professional manner;

c) The property obtained is assessed at from VND 50,000,000 to under VND 200,000,000;

d) The offender employs a dangerous method to commit the offence;

dd) The offender attacks other people to escape;

e) The offence causes 11% - 30% WPI for another person;

g) The offence is committed against a person under 16, a woman whose pregnancy is known by the offender, an old and weak, sick or defenseless person;

h) The offence has a negative impact on social safety, order and security;

i) Dangerous recidivism.

3. This offence committed in any of the following circumstances carries a penalty of 07 - 15 years' imprisonment:

a) The property obtained is assessed at from VND 200,000,000 to under VND 500,000,000;

b) The offence causes 31% - 60% WPI for another person;

c) The offender takes advantage of a natural disaster or epidemic to commit the offence.

4. This offence committed in any of the following circumstances carries a penalty of 12 - 20 years' imprisonment or life imprisonment:

a) The property obtained is assessed at ≥ VND 500,000,000;

b) The offence results in bodily harm of 01 person who suffers from 61% WPI or bodily harm of 02 or more people, each of whom suffers from ≥ 31% WPI;

c) The offence results in the death of the victim;

d) The offender takes advantage of a war or state of emergency to commit the offence.

5. The offender might also be liable to a fine of from VND 10,000,000 to VND 100,000,000.

As regulations above, the maximum sentence for extortion is a penalty of 12 - 20 years' imprisonment. Meanwhile, the maximum sentence for snatching is a penalty of 12 - 20 years' imprisonment or life imprisonment.

Therefore, it can be seen that extortion is more severe than snatching. One of the main reasons is that, compared to snatching, extortion affects the physical well-being (even the life) of the victim.

Best regards!