WHAT IS THE PENALTY FOR TAPPING INTO THE POWER LINES?

Recently, in order to reduce the monthly electricity bill, my husband has been doing tricks to distort the measurement of the power meter for more than 3 months. Then, the electricity inspection team checked and made a record, my husband confessed to the act of tapping into the power line but he replaced another electric meter. I want to ask what is the penalty for my husband's act of doing tricks? Sincerely thank you.

FDVN’s Opinion:

Thank you for concerning FDVN’s legal services. Regarding your consulting requests, after studying the relevant legal documents, FDVN Law Firm would like to give you the following advice:

1. According to Clause 3, Article 3 of Joint Circular No. 27/2015/TTLT-BCT-BCA-VKSNDTC-TANDTC, dated August 17, 2015 on the instructions for transfer documents of tapping into electric for criminal prosecution “Electricity theft is the act of illegally taking electricity without going through a meter, acting to falsify the meter readings and other electrical equipment related to electricity metering and other fraudulent acts of stealing electricity.”

Thus, your husband's tricks to impact and falsify the electric meter measurement, thereby reducing the electricity bill compared to the actual use is identified as one of the acts of electricity theft.

2. With this act, depending on the amount of stolen electricity, your husband will be administratively sanctioned under Clause 9, Article 12 of Decree No.134/2013/ND-CP, dated October 17, 2013, regulations on fines for electricity theft as follows:

“a) A fine of between 2,000,000 and 5,000,000 dong shall be imposed on the electricity theft with an amount of less than 1,000 kWh;

b) A fine of between 5,000,000 and 10,000,000 dong shall be imposed on the electricity theft with an amount from 1,000 kWh to less than 2,000kWh;

c) A fine of between 10,000,000 and 15,000,000 dong shall be imposed on the electricity theft with an amount from 2,000 kWh to less than 4,500kWh;

d) A fine of between 15,000,000 and 20,000,000 dong shall be imposed on the electricity theft with an amount from 4,500 kWh to less than 6,000kWh;

dd) A fine of between 20,000,000 and 25,000,000 dong shall be imposed on the electricity theft with an amount from 6,000 kWh to less than 8,500kWh;

e) A fine of between 25,000,000 and 30,000,000 dong shall be imposed on the electricity theft with an amount from 8,500 kWh to less than 11,000kWh;

g) A fine of between 30,000,000 and 35,000,000 dong shall be imposed on the electricity theft with an amount from 11,000 kWh to less than 13,500kWh;

h) A fine of between 35,000,000 and 40,000,000 dong shall be imposed on the electricity theft with an amount from 13,500 kWh to less than 16,000kWh;

i) A fine of between 40,000,000 and 45,000,000 dong shall be imposed on the electricity theft with an amount from 16,000 kWh to less than 18,000kWh;

k) A fine of between 45,000,000 and 50,000,000 dong shall be imposed on the electricity theft with an amount from 18,000 kWh to less than 20,000kWh”.

Thus, depending on the amount of electricity consumed, the person who commits the act of stealing electricity may be fined from VND 2,000,000 to VND 50,000,000. In addition, the violator will also have exhibits and vehicles confiscated and used to violate, be forced to compensate the entire amount of damage. For acts of stealing electricity from 20,000 kWh or more, the case will be transferred to criminal prosecution in accordance with the law.

Ngô Thị Mỹ Trâm – FDVN Law Firm

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