The U.K. Serious Fraud Office (SFO) launched a fraud investigation into AOG Technics over allegations the company supplied fake airplane engine parts to major airlines across the globe.
A London office of AOG Technics was raided by SFO investigators and officers from the National Crime Agency on Wednesday. One unnamed individual was arrested and is currently being questioned, the SFO announced in a press release.
AOG Technics Founder Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala was the individual arrested, according to a report from Bloomberg News.
AOG Technics has been under fire in recent months after multiple airlines reported receiving fake parts for jet engines from the company. The U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, and EU Safety Agency each issued alerts to businesses who might have bought or installed the parts, as some planes affected have been grounded over safety concerns.
The SFO said it is working with the CAA and other regulators in determining whether there are grounds for prosecution in the case.
“This investigation deals with very serious allegations of fraud involving the supply of aircraft parts, the consequences of which are potentially far-reaching,” said SFO Director Nick Ephgrave in the agency’s release. “The SFO is best placed to take this investigation forward vigorously, and we are determined to establish the facts as swiftly as possible.”
AOG Technics was established in 2015 by Zamora. The company could not be reached for comment.
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