SFO launches criminal investigation into global aviation supplier with dawn raid in London
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has today raided an address and arrested one individual, as it announces the launch of a new criminal investigation into fraud at AOG Technics Ltd, an aircraft parts supplier that serviced several major airlines in the UK and abroad.
SFO investigators, accompanied by officers from the National Crime Agency, seized material from a site in Greater London and one individual is currently being questioned.
Headquartered in the UK, AOG has supplied parts globally for the world’s best-selling passenger aircraft engine (the CF56) and most-used cargo aircraft engine (the CF6) since 2015. The parts were mostly sold to overseas companies that install airline parts, as well as some UK airlines, maintenance providers and parts suppliers. The aircraft, engine and parts manufacturing industry is worth £34.5bn to the UK economy.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued alerts earlier this year to aviation businesses who may have bought or installed AOG’s parts and continue to manage the safety implications involved. Some planes have been grounded in the UK and US.
The SFO is working closely with the CAA and other regulators to examine the information obtained as it advances its criminal investigation into suspected fraud at this firm and determines whether there are grounds for prosecution.
This is the third new investigation launched since Director Nick Ephgrave QPM joined the UK’s specialist anti-fraud agency in September.
Nick Ephgrave QPM, Director of the Serious Fraud Office, said:
“This investigation deals with very serious allegations of fraud involving the supply of aircraft parts, the consequences of which are potentially far reaching.
“The SFO is best placed to take this investigation forward vigorously and we are determined to establish the facts as swiftly as possible.”
