Soldier arrested in $400K betting scandal for misusing classified intel about Maduro’s capture

WASHINGTON, DC: A soldier who was part of a classified “Operation Absolute Resolve” to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January, early this year has been arrested by the DoJ for misusing intel to win a bet in a prediction market.

The Department of Justice announced on Thursday, April 23, that the special operation soldier turned a nominal amount of $33k into $400k by betting on the removal of Maduro from office.

Soldier misuses classified information for bet

Van Dyke allegedly made more than $400,000 on Polymarket by using secret details about when the US planned to capture Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, said the Justice Department in a press release.

The Justice Department has charged Dyke with unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud, and conducting an unlawful monetary transaction.

Van Dyke, a US military soldier, participated in the planning and execution of “Operation Absolute Resolve” and had access to secret information about the operation. Dyke used this sensitive and classified information at Polymarket, a prediction marketplace, to bet on the timing of Maduro’s capture, and turned his $33k into $400K.

FBI director vows to protect nation’s secret

Announcing that no one is above the law and pledging to protect the secrets of the nation, FBI Director Kash Patel said, “Today’s announcement makes clear no one is above the law, and this FBI will do whatever it takes to defend the homeland and safeguard our nation’s secrets.”

“Any clearance holders thinking of cashing in their access and knowledge for personal gain will be held accountable.”

Van Dyke was scheduled to be presented before  US Magistrate Judge Brian S. Meyers in the Eastern District of North Carolina on Thursday, April 23.

“Our men and women in uniform are trusted with classified information in order to accomplish their mission as safely and effectively as possible, and are prohibited from using this highly sensitive information for personal financial gain,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

“Widespread access to prediction markets is a relatively new phenomenon, but federal laws protecting national security information fully apply.”

Polymarket warns against use of non-public information

After the US military soldier was arrested, Polymarket issued a stern warning against the use of non-public information for betting.

“Today proved just how easy it is to find & charge criminal insider trading when markets are onchain,” Polymarket Chief Legal Officer (CLO) Neal Kumar posted on X.

“It's not anonymous — you will be found just like this guy. We appreciate the recognition from SDNY & will continue to work with gov’t authorities to prosecute bad actors.”