Prediction market platform Polymarket recently stated that it has banned and reported a user suspected of sending death threats to an Israeli journalist, demanding that the journalist alter their reporting on Iranian missile strikes. This incident involves a prediction market worth $17 million.
According to the journalist, Fabian, emails he received were intended to confirm whether missiles hit Israel on March 10th, in order to settle predictions on Polymarket. The platform's rules stipulate that the market will be settled as "yes" if "Iran launches a drone, missile, or airstrike on Israeli territory on the specified date," but also include a clause stating that "intercepted missiles or drones" would not count even if they landed within Israeli territory.
Fabian pointed out in his reporting that his coverage of missiles hitting an open area had become the focus of a "betting war." Those who bet "no" on whether Iran would attack Israel on March 10th demanded he change his report to ensure they could win substantial prize money.
Journalist Receives Death Threats
Fabian stated that he received emails, messages, and phone calls demanding he alter his report to describe fragments of missiles hitting the ground. One individual even fabricated information in an attempt to make it appear as though he had agreed that the missiles had been intercepted.
Fabian mentioned that he received a lengthy threat message in Hebrew from a user named "Haim," who warned him that he would "suffer losses you never imagined" if he did not change his report.
Haim also warned Fabian that he was "in danger" and that they would "invest money to 'solve' you," calling it a "fatal mistake" and establishing "enemies who are willing to pay any price to make your life miserable."
According to Fabian, Haim also provided "specific details" about his parents, family, and residence.
Fabian has reported these threats to the police, who are currently investigating.
The Polymarket platform responded: "This behavior violates our terms of service and is absolutely not permitted on our platform. We have banned all involved accounts and have handed over their information to the relevant authorities."
Fabian also mentioned that before receiving the threatening messages, a colleague from another media outlet had contacted him, stating that an acquaintance had asked them to alter his report.
The journalist subsequently questioned his acquaintance about the matter, who admitted to having placed a bet on Polymarket and offered to share some of the winnings if the report was changed.
Fabian emphasized: "The attempts by these gamblers to force me to change my reporting so they could win their bets did not, and will not, succeed. But I do worry that if other journalists are tempted by prize money, they might make unwise choices."
As of press time, the outcome of the market on Polymarket regarding when Iran attacked Israel remains disputed, with "no" bettors arguing that the March 10th explosions were from an intercepted missile.