Users of the crypto prediction platform Polymarket allegedly threatened journalist Emanuel Fabian to change his report on an Iranian missile strike near Beit Shemesh. The attack, which hit an open area with no casualties, became central to a $14 million prediction market bet on whether Iran would strike Israel.
The contract terms excluded intercepted missiles from counting as a strike. Bettors fearing losses bombarded Fabian with messages, offers, and threats-urging him to revise his story. He refused, citing verified military and emergency reports, and filed complaints after days of harassment, including disturbing WhatsApp threats.
Polymarket condemned the actions, banned involved accounts, and pledged to share user data with authorities. The incident sparks debate over the ethics and regulation of financial incentives in real-time geopolitical prediction markets.