An international investigation continues into allegations of bribes paid by Blu-3 employees to employees of Mace Group.
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) yesterday made three arrests after searching five properties in the UK and Monaco.
The SFO says that individuals at Blu-3 are suspected of paying more than £3m of bribes to former associates of Mace Group in relation to work on the construction of a data centre in the Netherlands for the technology giant Microsoft.
More than 70 SFO staff searched four homes and one commercial property across London, Kent, Surrey and Somerset today to seize evidence. Three individuals were arrested for questioning.
The operation also included a search of a suspect’s premises in Monaco by the authorities there, with assistance from the SFO.
Nick Ephgrave, director of the Serious Fraud Office, 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.”
Solicitor general Lucy Rigby MP, who attended one of the arrests in north London, said: “Bribery undermines the values of fairness and playing by the rules, and hurts individuals, businesses, and our wider economy….this government is committed to tackling all forms of bribery to protect working people and ensure criminals are brought to justice.”