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(Bloomberg) — The Serious Fraud Office has made three arrests and searched multiple properties in England and Monaco as part of an investigation into bribes paid by a construction firm to win a contract to help build a data center for Microsoft Corporation.<\/span><\/p>\n Former associates of the Mace Group, a London-based construction group, and infrastructure firm Blu-3 are the subjects of the SFO\u2019s investigation, according to an announcement on Wednesday. Individuals at Blu-3 are accused of paying over \u00a33 million ($4 million) in bribes to Mace associates to win contracts to help build the data center in the Netherlands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n More than 70 SFO staff searched four homes and one commercial property across London, Kent, Surrey and Somerset to seize evidence, the SFO said.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cPaying bribes to do business undermines our financial markets,\u201d Nick Ephgrave, SFO director, said in the statement. \u201cToday\u2019s action is a reminder that we will take rapid and robust action to tackle suspected bribery and corruption wherever it appears \u2013 at home and overseas.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Blu -3 is \u201csupporting an external SFO investigation and is fully cooperating with the agency,\u201d the company said in a statement. \u201cWe take matters of this nature extremely seriously and are committed to upholding the highest standards.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n