I'm assuming you have been involved in placements in the past...

I'm assuming you have been involved in placements in the past AlphaCentaurian. The way it is supposed to the work and the way it actually works are two completely different things for some companies. Trading on the info. is clearly illegal, however, it is has been known to occur that a stockbroking house may push the share price down of a company, that they often represent in capital raisings, prior to an expected placement occuring.
NB I was not offered shares and my info. did not come directly from my stockbroking firm.