February 24, 2026
Faras Baloch and Dr Alexis Dite have concluded the prosecution of Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala in one of the most significant aviation‑related frauds in recent years.
Zamora was sentenced to four years and eight months at Southwark Crown Court after admitting to forging authenticity certificates for more than 60,000 parts and supplying nearly £7 million worth of suspect aircraft engine parts to airlines worldwide.
The fraudulent components — including bolts, washers and turbine blades — were sold through AOG Technics. Operating in part from a garage in Surrey, Zamora created fake employee identities to give the illusion of a legitimate, large‑scale operation.
The scheme grounded aircraft, triggered international safety alerts and caused losses of at least £39 million across the global aviation industry, spanning multiple jurisdictions and affecting carriers such as American Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and TAP Air Portugal.
Faras and Alexis were instructed by the SFO.
Faras Baloch is a specialist in the most serious and complex criminal cases. He has particular expertise in Business Crime & Fraud, Money Laundering & Proceeds of Crime, Financial Services Regulation & Professional Discipline and Serious and Organised Crime.
Dr Alexis Dite has extensive experience conducting sensitive and complex internal investigations, including matters involving fraud, bribery and corruption, breaches of financial services regulation, money laundering, and violations of international sanctions.
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