Normally my understanding is that somebody puts out a hugely...

Normally my understanding is that somebody puts out a hugely favourable announcement which constitutes the pump and then the dump is selling into the large share price surge

Certainly wasn't of this variety but more background whispers and innuendo and sudden large volume and share price spikes which then attract traders. Been going on with this stock for a long time. Check out the poster names right here on HC that have appeared over a long period of time typically when a lot of share price and volume is/was evident. I think the drop since Peter Wall left the scene is also significant.