World · Latin America · 16 hrs ago
US Soldier Accused of Using Secret Venezuela Mission Details to Bet
US prosecutors accuse soldier Gannon Ken Van Dyke of betting with secret military information about an operation in Venezuela.
They say he used details about the mission to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to place about 13 bets on Polymarket between December and January.
The bets reportedly brought him about $410,000 in profit, and prosecutors say he later moved most of the money through cryptocurrency and an online brokerage account.
The case matters because military personnel are trusted to protect sensitive information, and US officials say that duty applies even when the information could be used on prediction markets.
Van Dyke faces five federal charges, including allegations of fraud and illegal money transfers, with potential maximum prison terms of 10 to 20 years for each charge.
Polymarket says it identified the activity, reported it to the Justice Department and cooperated with the investigation.
The case has been moved to federal court in Manhattan, and Van Dyke has not provided comment; the sources give no further information about what happens next.
A US soldier is accused of using secret information about a military operation in Venezuela to make more than US$400,000 on the Polymarket prediction market.
Federal prosecutors allege Gannon Ken Van Dyke placed about 13 bets worth US$33,034 between December and January.
The bets included positions on US forces being in Venezuela and Nicolás Maduro leaving power before January 31.
Polymarket says it identified the user, reported the case to the Justice Department and cooperated with the investigation.
Van Dyke faces five charges, each carrying a maximum possible prison term of 10 to 20 years.
- Who
- Gannon Ken Van Dyke, an active-duty US soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
- What
- He is accused of using secret information about a US military operation in Venezuela to place bets on Polymarket.
- When
- The alleged bets were placed between December and January. The article was published on November 1, 2026.
- Where
- The bets were placed on Polymarket. The operation concerned Venezuela, and the case was transferred to federal court in Manhattan.
- Why
- Prosecutors allege he used sensitive information for personal financial gain.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Van Dyke allegedly placed about 13 bets on Polymarket worth a total of US$33,034.
The United States launched attacks in Venezuela and captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife, according to the article.
Van Dyke allegedly tried to hide his identity on the prediction market.
The case was transferred to federal court in Manhattan.
- Alleged profit
- About US$409,881
- Alleged bets
- About 13, worth US$33,034
- Betting platform
- Polymarket
- Stationing
- Fort Bragg, North Carolina
- Charges
- Three Commodity Exchange Act violations, one wire fraud charge and one illegal monetary transaction charge