In a shocking case of aviation fraud, Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala, a former techno DJ, has been sentenced to four years and eight months in prison for orchestrating a multi-million-pound scam involving counterfeit aircraft engine parts sold from his home in Surrey.
The Fraudulent Scheme Uncovered
Between 2019 and 2023, Zamora Yrala admitted to forging over 60,000 authenticity certificates for engine components. These fake parts were supplied through his company, AOG Technics, and were intended for use in CFM56 engines, which power widely used aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.
Global Safety Alerts and Groundings
The fraudulent activities came to light in August 2023 when UK, US, and EU aviation agencies issued urgent safety alerts regarding AOG Technics' components. This led to planes being grounded worldwide, causing significant disruptions to airline operations and passenger travel.
Financial Impact on Airlines
The scam resulted in substantial financial losses for major airlines. Ethiopian Airlines and American Airlines were among those affected, with total known losses amounting to £39.3 million. These costs stemmed from the need to replace unapproved parts and address the falsified documentation that had compromised safety standards.
Legal Consequences and Further Actions
In addition to his prison sentence, Zamora Yrala has been disqualified from acting as a company director for eight years. Authorities have indicated that further proceeds of crime proceedings will follow, aiming to recover assets linked to the fraudulent scheme.
The case highlights critical vulnerabilities in the aviation supply chain and underscores the importance of stringent verification processes to prevent such scams in the future.
