A major Microsoft data centre bribery investigation has triggered arrests and property raids across the UK after serious allegations surfaced involving two British construction firms.
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) launched an international investigation into a suspected bribery scheme tied to a Microsoft data centre project in the Netherlands. Authorities arrested three individuals and searched five properties across London, Kent, Surrey, and Somerset. They also coordinated with officials in Monaco to search property linked to one of the suspects.
Investigators believe Kent-based construction company Blu-3 paid more than £3 million in bribes to former associates of Mace Group to help secure contracts on the project. These payments allegedly influenced key decisions connected to the high-profile facility, which supports Microsoft’s global cloud infrastructure.
Over 70 SFO officers took part in the coordinated raids, which reflect the agency’s efforts to tackle bribery and corruption. SFO Director Nick Ephgrave said that bribery damages market integrity, weakens public trust, and violates the rule of law. He added that the agency will continue taking swift and decisive action, whether wrongdoing occurs in the UK or abroad.
Microsoft currently operates over 300 data centres in more than 30 countries, with the Netherlands site playing a vital role. Growing demand for cloud services and artificial intelligence has accelerated the global expansion of data infrastructure. Microsoft has also committed £2.5 billion to new and existing data centres in the UK, including a new facility in North London and upgrades in Cardiff.
Despite this rapid growth, environmental concerns have emerged. In Hertfordshire, residents protested a £3.75 billion plan for Europe’s largest data centre, citing damage to green belt land.
Mace Group responded to the investigation by affirming its commitment to ethical conduct. A company spokesperson stated that Mace takes all allegations seriously and is working closely with the SFO to support the inquiry. Blu-3 has not issued a public comment.
This Microsoft data centre bribery investigation raises broader questions about oversight in the booming data infrastructure sector. Experts say stricter scrutiny of public-private partnerships may follow as governments and companies navigate the risks of large-scale development.
For more UK business news updates, follow London Pulse News.
