US Soldier Accused of Using Classified Info for $400K Bet

Apr 24, 2026

73 min

Apr 24, 2026 01:31

US soldier charged with using classified intel to win $400K Polymarket bet on Maduro raid

## Soldier's Alleged Misuse of Classified Information

A U.S. special forces soldier, Gannon Ken Van Dyke, has been charged with exploiting classified military information to profit from an online betting platform. The charges stem from his involvement in a mission to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

## Details of the Allegations

Van Dyke allegedly used his insider knowledge to place bets on Polymarket, a prediction market site, earning over $400,000. He is accused of making 13 bets on the likelihood of U.S. forces being in Venezuela and Maduro's removal by January 31, 2026.

## Legal Consequences and Investigation

The charges against Van Dyke include unlawful use of confidential information, commodities fraud, and wire fraud. If convicted, he faces significant prison time. The federal prosecutor's office in New York is handling the case.

## Polymarket's Response

Polymarket reported the suspicious activity to the U.S. Department of Justice and has cooperated with the investigation. The company emphasized that insider trading is not tolerated on their platform.

## Background on Van Dyke

Van Dyke, who joined the Army in 2008 and reached the rank of Master Sergeant, was part of the special forces community at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His military service details remain largely undisclosed due to the sensitive nature of his role.

## Broader Implications

This case highlights concerns about insider trading in prediction markets, prompting calls for stricter regulations. The White House has recently cautioned staff against using private information for trading purposes.

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