A former techno DJ has been sentenced to four years and eight months in prison for orchestrating a £40 million global fraud selling fake aircraft parts from his garage in Surrey. Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala, 38, set up AOG Technics, which sold over 60,000 components with forged certificates guaranteeing their airworthiness.
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) found that Zamora Yrala bought engine parts such as seals, bolts, and washers, and sold them to airlines and suppliers worldwide. The parts were used in CFM56 engines, found in popular Airbus and Boeing aircraft models. Airlines affected included American Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Delta, and Ryanair.
Zamora Yrala used his home computer to doctor genuine certificates and create false delivery records. He also invented fake employees, sending emails and documents signed by nonexistent quality managers. The fraud was uncovered in August 2023 when an airline contacted a manufacturer to verify a part's authenticity.
Following the discovery, UK, US, and EU aviation agencies issued safety alerts, leading to planes being grounded. Estimated losses to airlines exceeded £39.3 million. Ethiopian Airlines directly bought over £1.1 million worth of parts, while American Airlines found 28 of its engines affected, incurring losses of over £21 million. Ryanair found fake parts in two planes via third parties.
Zamora Yrala, originally from Venezuela, worked in aviation from 2011 and set up AOG in 2015 as sole director, having previously been a techno DJ. He pleaded guilty to fraud at Southwark Crown Court.
Emma Luxton, SFO director of operations, said: 'Zamora’s operation risked public safety on a global scale in a way that defies belief. I’m proud that we have used our specialist skills and expertise to bring him to justice and this criminal operation to the ground as swiftly as possible.'
