UK fraud office investigates Blu-3, Mace Group in bribery probe
The SFO said in a statement that more than 70 of its staff searched four homes and one commercial property in Britain and Monaco authorities searched another suspect's premises.
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The SFO said individuals at Blu-3 were suspected of paying over 3 million pounds ($3.99 million) in bribes to former associates of the Mace Group relating to the construction of a data centre in the Netherlands for Microsoft.
Neither Mace Group, which built London's Shard skyscraper, nor Blu-3 immediately responded to requests for comment.
The three suspects were arrested for questioning, 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," said SFO's director Nick Ephgrave.
($1 = 0.7514 pounds)
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