Prediction markets platform Polymarket has banned users and reported them to authorities after they allegedly issued death threats against an Israeli journalist. The users pressured the reporter to alter a news article about an Iranian missile strike that was the subject of a $17 million prediction market. The market allowed bets on whether Iran would strike Israel on March 10, and its outcome hinges on whether a specific missile was intercepted.
Prediction markets platform Polymarket says it has banned and reported users who pressured an Israeli journalist with death threats. The journalist, Emanuel Fabian, was asked to amend a news article about an Iranian missile strike that was the subject of a significant prediction market.
The market allowed bets on what date Iran would strike Israel, with over $17 million currently wagered on March 10. A clause in the rules stated that intercepted missiles or drones would not count as a strike.
“As far as I now understand, the emails I received were intended to confirm whether or not a missile had hit Israel on March 10 in order to resolve a prediction on Polymarket,” Fabian wrote. He said he received threats demanding he change his report to say the strike was a missile fragment.
One individual fabricated a message to make it appear Fabian agreed the missile was intercepted. Fabian said he received lengthy, threatening messages from someone called “Haim,” who gave specific details about his family.
“The attempt by these gamblers to pressure me to change my reporting so that they would win their bet did not and will not succeed,” Fabian stated. He said he worries other journalists might not be as ethical if promised a portion of winnings.
Polymarket stated it condemns the harassment and threats directed at Fabian. “This behavior violates our Terms of Service & has no place on our platform. We’ve banned the accounts for all involved & will pass their info to the relevant authorities,” the platform added.
Fabian later reported that the Israeli Defense Forces confirmed the missile was not intercepted. The market’s outcome was in dispute, with “No” bettors asserting the explosion was from an intercepted missile.
