Man charged with senior-targeting fraud pleads not guilty 

A man charged with fraud targeting seniors pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Halifax Provincial Court. 

Amcet Ricaldy-Solorzano, 53, was charged with seven counts of fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by a crime in March. He is also charged with fraud under $5,000, and participation in a criminal organization. 

Ricaldy-Solorzano appeared via phone call from custody in Ontario, where he is currently serving a sentence for similar crimes. 

Defense lawyer Aodhan Murphy submitted the not guilty plea with plans to head to trial. 

Halifax Regional Police received reports in November 2024 from elderly victims who had been contacted by “family members” claiming that they had been arrested. Victims received follow-up calls from fake lawyers asking for bail money. 

Police charged Ricaldy-Solorzano after receiving similar reports from seniors in January 2025. 

The Crown is considering a direct indictment of Ricaldy-Solorzano, as he needs a French-speaking judge to proceed. With a large number of English-speaking witnesses, Crown attorney Jonathan Gavel said the trial would be “in excess of two weeks.” 

Ricaldy-Solorzano will reappear in court on Dec. 1 to schedule trial dates.