Article 712 — Usury.

(1) Whoever, by exploiting a person's reduced circumstances or dependency, material difficulties, or carelessness, inexperience, weak character or mind: a) lends him money at a rate exceeding the official rate; or b) obtains a promise or assignment of benefits in property in exchange for pecuniary or other consideration, which is in evident disproportion, shall be punishable, according to the gravity of the case, with simple imprisonment, or with rigorous imprisonment not exceeding five years, and fine. (2) Whoever, with a similar intent, acquires an usurious claim and sets it up against or assigns it to another, shall be liable to the same punishments.