Article 4 of the Saudi Anti-Financial Fraud and Breach of Trust Law

المادة 4 من نظام مكافحة الاحتيال المالي وخيانة الأمانة

The article punishes anyone who attempted any of the crimes under the Law with no more than half the maximum penalty prescribed for the completed crime.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

يعاقب كل من شرع في القيام بأي من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام بما لا يتجاوز نصف الحد الأعلى للعقوبة المقررة على الجريمة التامة.

This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers

Article 4 explained in plain English

This article deals with attempt, that is, where a person begins to commit one of the crimes under the Law without the crime being completed.

The rule:

Attempting any of the crimes provided for in this Law is punishable, so the offender does not escape punishment merely because the crime was not completed.
The penalty is no more than half of the maximum penalty prescribed for the completed crime. One looks at the ceiling set for the crime had it been completed, and then half of it is the maximum penalty for attempting it.

The article does not set a minimum penalty for attempt, but only sets its ceiling, and the court assesses within that ceiling.

Relationship to neighboring articles:

Article 3 punishes whoever incited, agreed or helped, and likewise makes the penalty no more than half of the maximum if the principal crime does not occur.
Article 5 provides that penalties imposed are not less than half of their maximum set in the Law and not more than double it, if the crime is committed through an organized gang or in a case of recidivism.

Because determining whether an act is an attempt or a completed crime depends on the facts of each case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal matters.

Practical example

A person sent messages to a number of people claiming to represent an investment entity, and asked one of them to transfer an amount. The latter became suspicious before transferring and reported him, so the fraudster obtained no money. In this case the crime was not completed, but the article punishes the attempt with no more than half the maximum penalty prescribed for the completed crime.

Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.

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