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.’
Former techno DJ Jose Zamora Yrala ran UK-based AOG Technics and is accused of defrauding customers including leading airlines, maintenance firms, and parts suppliers
The alleged fraud by Yrala’s company saw ‘many lives’ being ‘potentially put at risk’, a court heard
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 the 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.
Yrala appeared at Southwark Crown Court wearing a pinstriped suit and red tie charged with fraudulent trading (File Image)
‘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.
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