The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has launched a multi-million-pound international bribery investigation, targeting UK-based construction firm Blu-3 and former associates of global construction giant Mace Group. The probe relates to suspected bribes totalling over £3 million, allegedly paid in connection with the construction of a Microsoft data centre in the Netherlands.
The SFO confirmed that five properties across London, Kent, Surrey, and Somerset were searched today, with three individuals arrested for questioning. A parallel search was also carried out in Monaco, supported by local authorities and SFO personnel.
Bribery in Global Construction Contracts Under Scrutiny
More than 70 SFO officers were involved in the coordinated operation, which targeted homes and a commercial property believed to be linked to the bribery allegations.
According to investigators, individuals at Blu-3 are suspected of offering illicit payments to secure contracts related to the construction of Microsoft’s high-value data infrastructure in Europe.
Nick Ephgrave QPM, Director of the SFO, said:
“Paying bribes to do business undermines our financial markets, the reputation of British companies and the rule of law and will not be tolerated.Today’s action is a reminder that we will take rapid and robust action to tackle suspected bribery and corruption wherever it appears – at home and overseas.”
Government and Agency Support
The operation was also supported by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and received political backing, with Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP attending one of the arrests in North London.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining the extent of corporate misconduct and potential breaches of the UK Bribery Act.
A Spokesman for Mace said: “Mace has a zero tolerance approach to breaches of our code of ethics, and takes any allegations of bribery extremely seriously. We are committed to fully supporting the Serious Fraud Office in investigating allegations against any former associates of the Group.”
