Polymarket Bettors Issue Death Threats to Journalist Over Iran Missile Reports

Odaily Planet Daily reports that prediction market platform Polymarket has banned and reported a user who issued a death threat to an Israeli journalist. The user attempted to force the journalist to modify a news report about an Iranian missile attack, involving a prediction market with a betting volume of $17 million.

The Times of Israel military reporter Emanuel Fabian wrote on Monday that he received a message demanding he change his report, which concerns an Iranian missile landing outside the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh on March 10. The prediction market allows users to bet on the date of an Iranian attack on Israel, with over $17 million already wagered on the March 10 option.

Fabian stated that he received a threatening message from someone claiming to be “Haim,” demanding he alter the report or face serious consequences, and provided specific details about his parents, family, and residence. Fabian has reported the threat to the police, who are investigating.

Polymarket issued a statement on X condemning the harassment and threats against Emanuel Fabian, stating that relevant accounts have been banned and the information has been handed over to authorities. The Israel Defense Forces later confirmed that the missile explosion outside Beit Shemesh was not intercepted.