A company executive has confessed to supplying fake aircraft parts used by airlines around the world. José Alejandro Zamora Yrala, while running the UK-based AOG Technics company, admitted to committing fraud that led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights.
The fake parts he sold were used in CFM56 engines powering Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft. These engines are among the most common in passenger planes worldwide. Following the sale or installation of these counterfeit components by customers, international aviation authorities issued safety warnings. The UK’s Serious Fraud Office continues its investigation in collaboration with Portuguese authorities.
In a case heard today at Southwark Crown Court, 37-year-old former techno DJ Zamora Yrala admitted to the fraudulent activities carried out between January 2019 and December 2023. He confessed to falsifying documents regarding the origin and condition of the parts he sold and acknowledged that his actions jeopardized the safety of aircraft parts, causing significant harm to the aviation industry. His company’s client list included not only airlines but also maintenance providers and parts suppliers.
The fraud was publicly revealed in 2023 when the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority, the US Federal Aviation Administration, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued safety warnings. Portuguese authorities continue to investigate.
Emma Luxton, Director of Operations at the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO), highlighted that this incident posed a threat to trust in the aviation industry and global public safety. “This significant and audacious fraud threatens trust in the aviation sector and jeopardizes global public safety,” Luxton said. “We are proud of the swift action that led to the conviction, and we thank the Portuguese law enforcement agencies for their crucial assistance.”
Zamora Yrala resides in Virginia Water, Surrey, and has been released on bail to attend a sentencing hearing at the same court on February 23.
