AOG Technics Director Guilty in Fake Aircraft Parts Scam, Grounding Jets
AOG Technics Director Convicted in Global Aviation Parts Fraud Scheme
The director of AOG Technics has pleaded guilty to operating a sophisticated parts fraud that compromised aviation safety across multiple continents. Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala appeared at Southwark Crown Court on December 1, 2025, admitting to defrauding customers through falsified documentation of CFM56 engine components between 2019 and 2023.
The UK’s Serious Fraud Office, which launched its investigation in October 2023, determined that Zamora Yrala systematically misrepresented the origin and status of aircraft parts supplied to airlines, maintenance repair operators, and engine parts suppliers. The fraud centered on components for CFM International’s CFM56 engines, which power Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft operated by carriers worldwide.
The scope of the fraud proved staggering. When CFM International discovered the scheme in October 2023, it identified 126 engines suspected of bearing falsely documented parts. Although the compromised components were primarily non-serialized items such as bolts, nuts, washers, and seals rather than life-limited critical parts, the discovery triggered an immediate global safety response.
Regulatory authorities including the Federal Aviation Administration, European Aviation Safety Agency, and UK Civil Aviation Authority issued emergency directives requiring airlines and maintenance organizations to inspect their records. This resulted in significant aircraft groundings as operators verified their inventory against potentially fraudulent parts. Major carriers affected included Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, TAP, Ryanair, WestJet, and Virgin Australia.
The investigation revealed international dimensions requiring coordinated law enforcement action. The Serious Fraud Office collaborated extensively with Portuguese authorities to investigate the supply chain and authentication of fraudulent safety certifications. That investigation continues independently.
Emma Luxton, Director of Operations at the Serious Fraud Office, characterized the conviction as critical to maintaining industry confidence. “This significant and audacious fraud threatened trust in the aviation industry and risked public safety on a global scale,” she stated. “I’m extremely proud that we’ve acted swiftly to secure this conviction.”
Zamora Yrala faces sentencing on February 23, 2026. The conviction represents a watershed moment for aerospace supply chain integrity, demonstrating both the vulnerability of authentication systems and the commitment of regulators to pursue violators aggressively. Industry experts anticipate heightened scrutiny of parts documentation and supplier verification protocols moving forward.
Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764601246239-1040