Hack into the Ministry of Human Capital Datacenter Prevented.

Today’s story of true crime, high-tech and confusion comes from the land of Confucius. Mei-Lin Wu, age 32, attempted to gain access to the Ministry of Human Capital data center in Chendgu, which is known to process and store almost two thirds of social credit score records. The social credit system, introduced by CCP almost 4 decades ago, still evokes certain controversy  in the West. It is considered a cornerstone of social cohesion in China, but outside observers believe it to be a tool of prosecution and suppression of dissent.

Mr Wu’s assumed objective was to tempter with, or even destroy the data archives. Authorities told the press that a hammer and a cordless drill were found in the criminal’s backpack, which proved the intent to physically damage the datacenter equipment.

The most interesting circumstance, however, is how he was planning to enter the site. Mr Wu managed to successfully hack a significant number of connected devices in the datacenter capable of emitting radio-waves; this included wireless routers, security cameras, RF id scanners and delivery vehicles. He programmed them to start emitting a certain high-powered frequency pattern about 15 minutes before his arrival. Confused?

A copy of the article by U of British Columbia researchers titled “Frequency patterns and induced narcolepsy in primates” may shed some light on Mr Wu’s devious design. What he tried to do is replicate the study results and have all the compromised devices play the “lullaby” so that all guards on duty would fall asleep. 

Unfortunately for him, and vindicating years of CCP push to displace Western languages in Chinese school curriculum, an important detail got lost in translation. The study in question dealt with sound, not radio waves. The actual effect of electro-magnetic replay on primates is increased irritability and anxiety, quite the opposite to nappy times.

No wonder that upon arrival Mr Wu found not a sleepy kingdom he expected but a riled up hornet’s nest. He was taken into custody, confessed and awaits a re-education assignment.