Ann: Trading Halt, page-313

The company does not get a cent when "interested parties buy on market" so yes, they can approach a company and make an offer. All too often, the company will be tempted as there is very little delay in them receiving the funds nor much in the way of regulatory approvals required. Guess we should be thankful it was not for a huge chunk of the company. What will be interesting is to know is just how long these "interested parties" hold on to their new shares in the face of a lovely profit when the company resumes trading.