What is the penalty for estafa, and does the amount matter?

Answer

Yes — the penalty for estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code is graduated mainly by the amount of damage or prejudice caused. The larger the amount defrauded, the heavier the penalty, with the law setting brackets that step the penalty up as the amount rises.

The peso thresholds in Article 315 were updated by Republic Act No. 10951 (2017) to reflect present values, so older figures no longer apply. Because the exact penalty turns on the amount and the mode of estafa, it should be computed against the current text and with counsel.

Sources & further reading

• Revised Penal Code Art. 315 — estafa
• Full report: estafa under Article 315