Published on: May 7, 2026, 10:37h.
Updated on: May 7, 2026, 10:58h.
- Israeli authorities charge marketer with insider trading on Polymarket related to military actions
- Long-dormant Polymarket account ignited speculation prior to suspect’s apprehension
- Israeli reserve major allegedly shared confidential military timing information via WhatsApp
An Israeli judge has lifted a confidentiality order that concealed the identity of a man charged with leveraging insider information for gain from Polymarket transactions concerning the Iran situation. The accused, identified as Omer Ziv, 30, is an iGaming marketing specialist from Tel Aviv, previously employed at High 5 Games and Playtech, as per his LinkedIn profile.
Ziv’s co-defendant, an Israeli Air Force reserve major who allegedly disclosed sensitive timing information regarding Israeli military operations, has not been publicly named due to national security protocols.
As per court filings, Ziv met the major during their tenure at an iGaming technology firm years ago. In June 2025, Ziv noticed a Polymarket event contract questioning, “Will there be Israeli military action against Iran before July?”
Prosecutors assert that the major agreed to leak information regarding upcoming military actions while Ziv conducted trades on Polymarket using four newly established accounts.
Operation Rising Lion
On June 12, the major received a briefing regarding the imminent launch of “Operation Rising Lion,” a military initiative aimed at Iran’s nuclear capabilities, sparking days of retaliatory missile strikes.
This intel was shared with Ziv through WhatsApp, leading him to start trading on Polymarket. Ziv then informed three friends about the operation, advising them to remain silent, “so we don’t end up in jail,” according to prosecutors.
Following this, Ziv allegedly sent a screenshot to the major, displaying their profits amounting to approximately $128,000, per the indictment. He reportedly conducted three additional trades concerning Israeli military operations during what became known as the Twelve-Day War.
Prosecutors further claim that Ziv took positions in September during Israeli military actions in Yemen, corresponding with the major’s intel about strikes in Houthi-controlled regions. Overall, the duo is believed to have profited roughly $154,000.
Then, in January of this year, with escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, Ziv purportedly resumed trading. However, this time, other Polymarket users became suspicious.
Emerging Suspicion
A particular account, known as ricosuave666, attracted considerable online speculation after users noticed its abrupt activity resuming following seven months of dormancy. Before its inactivity, this account had executed notably lucrative trades on Iranian strikes and was once again taking similar actions.
In anticipation of exposure, Ziv began canceling trades and altering usernames, as stated by prosecutors. Both Ziv and the major deleted their WhatsApp communications.
However, it was too late. Following a coordinated investigation by the Israeli Defense Forces and the internal security agency Shin Bet, Ziv was detained in January upon returning from the iGB Affiliate conference in Barcelona. The major was subsequently apprehended shortly after.
The two face charges including bribery, security offenses, and obstruction of justice, with Ziv also facing a severe espionage charge that could result in life imprisonment.