Prosecutors said the soldier helped plan and execute the early January night raid that led to the US capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro|@WhiteHouse|X
The Department of Justice arrested and charged a Special Forces soldier, Gannon Ken Van Dyke, for allegedly using classified military information to earn more than $400,000 on Polymarket.
How the scheme worked
According to officials, Van Dyke helped plan and execute the early January night raid in Caracas that led to Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro’s capture.
Despite signing strict nondisclosure agreements, the US soldier allegedly used sensitive details to predict outcomes, including Maduro’s removal from power.
Investigators say he moved $35,000 into a cryptocurrency account and placed bets between December 30 and January 2—just hours before military action began. His wagers generated more than $404,000, with additional bets adding over $5,000.
Polymarket said it identified suspicious activity, reported it to authorities, and cooperated fully with investigators.
Van Dyke now faces charges including wire fraud, commodities fraud, theft of government information, and unlawful financial transactions. Officials say his actions risked national security and endangered lives.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission also filed civil charges.
Meanwhile, the case has raised broader concerns about how easily classified information could be misused in digital betting markets.