Latest news with #AOGTechnics
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Former techno DJ sold bogus parts to airlines across the globe in fraud 'where many lives were potentially put at risk', court hears
A former techno DJ sold bogus parts to leading airlines across the globe in a fraud 'where many lives were potentially put at risk', a court has heard. Jose Zamora Yrala, 37, from Venezuela, ran UK-based AOG Technics and is accused of defrauding customers including leading airlines, maintenance firms, and parts suppliers. The scam allegedly involved falsified documentation relating to the origin, status or condition of aircraft parts from 2019 to 2023. Yrala today appeared at Southwark Crown Court wearing a pinstriped suit and red tie charged with fraudulent trading. Faras Baloch, prosecuting, said: 'The European authorities sent a warning around to airlines, which meant airlines were able to prevent airlines from taking off if suspect parts were affecting that part of the supply.' Judge Justin Cole said: 'This is an alleged fraud where many lives were potentially put at risk.' He was due to enter his pleas today but the hearing was delayed until December 1. Mr Baloch said: 'I understand that legal aid was only granted on Thursday (June 26). It is estimated that the trial will take six weeks. The date we have is January 10, 2028.' Judge Cole said: 'That is obviously regrettable but unavoidable in the current national climate of backlogs where we have to prioritise custody and other types of cases.' Yrala was granted bail on condition he resides at his home address, does not apply for any international travel documents, and that his passport is held by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). Judge Cole told him: 'As you know you face a very serious allegation of fraud and at the moment your bail will continue on existing terms. Unfortunately the earliest date we found for your six week trial is January 10, 2028.' Planes were grounded in the UK and worldwide in 2023 after safety alerts were issued by the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA), the United States' Federal Aviation Administration, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to airlines that may have purchased parts from AOG Technics. Nick Ephgrave, director of the SFO, earlier said: 'Planes were grounded, and significant disruption was caused, today's charges are the outcome of a focused and fast-paced investigation. 'I'm proud that we've acted swiftly, together with our European partners, to bring this important case to charge in just 19 months.' A spokesperson for UK CAA said: 'We welcome the progress made by the Serious Fraud Office in its investigation into AOG Technics. 'In August 2023, we acted swiftly to alert UK aviation organisations to the potential supply of unapproved parts and worked closely with international regulators to safeguard aviation safety. We continue to support the SFO and remain committed to upholding the highest safety standards.' Parts sold by AOG were allegedly found on a Tui aircraft while other airlines affected included Ryanair, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Man charged over alleged fake plane parts scam which grounded hundreds of flights
The director of a company is facing fraud charges after allegedly supplying counterfeit plane parts to airlines globally. Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala, who ran UK-based AOG Technics, is accused of defrauding customers, according to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). AOG Technics' clients included airlines, maintenance firms, and parts suppliers. In 2023, planes were grounded in the UK and worldwide after safety alerts were issued by the UK's Civil Aviation Authority, the United States' Federal Aviation Administration, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to airlines that may have purchased or installed parts from AOG Technics. From 2019 to 2023, the company allegedly falsified documentation that related to the origin, status or condition of aircraft parts. Zamora Yrala will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 2 charged with fraudulent trading. Nick Ephgrave, director of the SFO, said: 'Planes were grounded, and significant disruption was caused, today's charges are the outcome of a focused and fast-paced investigation. 'I'm proud that we've acted swiftly, together with our European partners, to bring this important case to charge in just 19 months.' A UK Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson, said: 'We welcome the progress made by the Serious Fraud Office in its investigation into AOG Technics. 'In August 2023, we acted swiftly to alert UK aviation organisations to the potential supply of unapproved parts and worked closely with international regulators to safeguard aviation safety. We continue to support the SFO and remain committed to upholding the highest safety standards.' The Independent exclusively revealed in 2023 that parts sold by AOG were found on a Tui aircraft. The part was later removed and the firm struck from Tui's approved supplier list. Other affected airlines included Ryanair, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, TAP and Virgin Australia Airlines. AOG was founded in 2015 and due to the worldwide scandal, first reported by Bloomberg, hundreds of planes were grounded. The case of the London-based company that allegedly supplied jet-engine parts using forged paperwork forced regulators and airlines to assess the scale of the issue. It is thought to have involved thousands of airline parts.
The Independent
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Man charged over alleged fake plane parts scam which grounded hundreds of flights
The director of a company is facing fraud charges after allegedly supplying counterfeit plane parts to airlines globally. Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala, who ran UK-based AOG Technics, is accused of defrauding customers, according to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). AOG Technics' clients included airlines, maintenance firms, and parts suppliers. In 2023, planes were grounded in the UK and worldwide after safety alerts were issued by the UK's Civil Aviation Authority, the United States' Federal Aviation Administration, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to airlines that may have purchased or installed parts from AOG Technics. From 2019 to 2023, the company allegedly falsified documentation that related to the origin, status or condition of aircraft parts. Zamora Yrala will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 2 charged with fraudulent trading. Nick Ephgrave, director of the SFO, said: 'Planes were grounded, and significant disruption was caused, today's charges are the outcome of a focused and fast-paced investigation. 'I'm proud that we've acted swiftly, together with our European partners, to bring this important case to charge in just 19 months.' A UK Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson, said: 'We welcome the progress made by the Serious Fraud Office in its investigation into AOG Technics. 'In August 2023, we acted swiftly to alert UK aviation organisations to the potential supply of unapproved parts and worked closely with international regulators to safeguard aviation safety. We continue to support the SFO and remain committed to upholding the highest safety standards.' The Independent exclusively revealed in 2023 that parts sold by AOG were found on a Tui aircraft. The part was later removed and the firm struck from Tui's approved supplier list. Other affected airlines included Ryanair, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, TAP and Virgin Australia Airlines. AOG was founded in 2015 and due to the worldwide scandal, first reported by Bloomberg, hundreds of planes were grounded. The case of the London-based company that allegedly supplied jet-engine parts using forged paperwork forced regulators and airlines to assess the scale of the issue. It is thought to have involved thousands of airline parts.
Reuters
28-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
UK fraud office charges director over aircraft parts sales
LONDON, May 28 (Reuters) - Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) on Wednesday charged a company director with fraudulent trading as part of an investigation into a company that sold airline parts. "(Jose Alejandro) Zamora Yrala, the company director, is accused of operating UK-based AOG Technics for a fraudulent purpose. The company's customers included airlines, maintenance providers and parts suppliers," the SFO said in a statement.
Bloomberg
28-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
UK's SFO Charges Director at Center of Fake Plane Parts Probe
The former director of a firm at the center of a global investigation into bogus airplane parts was charged with fraud by UK authorities. The Serious Fraud Office charged AOG Technics Ltd.'s director, Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala, with fraudulent trading, according to a statement on Wednesday. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.
