not sure if it is shady or not . I was not there , however it is known some people will enter a game with a friend and chat via IM about the pocket cards they are holding ... or right out in the open game chat . It is pretty dishonest and usually it bites them in the end one way or another . Called Karma -
maybe take note of the 2 separate players and if you see it more then once you have your answer to your gut feeling .
Then maybe drop a email to the account department or something or the Forum Admin who held the tournament -

Congrats for the final table though good job !