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.
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.”
