A QR code for the serial number, not a Data Matrix code? The sticker is also a little off-center. Could this be counterfeit? Let's look inside- Uh oh...

Here's the full counterfeit board in its glory. A single Toshiba NAND chip and a SATA controller on a green PCB. Definitely not a large blue PCB with multiple Kingston NAND chips.

I imagine the failure is due to low quality parts, or even bad emulation- It would freeze during SMART tests. Searching up the controller chip SM2246XT online shows some similar board layouts. Today's hard lesson is: Don't buy electronics off shady eBay sellers.

@jchelp is that a torn 'void if removed' sort of sticker up top?

@wobin Nope, I removed the attached black and white warranty sticker from the front and lost it earlier.