I need help iPhone locked to owner

Activation Lock is intended as a theft deterrent. It’s intentionally not easy to bypass.

What do do here? Request a refund from the seller, or—if the seller has disappeared, as is typical—recycle it. Yes, recycle it. There is nothing we can do to release Activation Lock, and Apple—short of receiving paperwork you don’t have and didn’t get from the seller—won’t help.

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying a used iPad/iPhone… - Apple Community

You could consider discussing this with whatever platform was involved with selling thismdevice and with local police if they’re an option for you, but no ine will release that lock, other than the seller, or Apple with sufficient proof of ownership.