Request for Assistance With Activation Lock – Second-Hand iPhone.

You are not speaking to Apple. This is a user forum.

That said, Apple can't help you.

ONLY the owner of the account used to lock the device can remove the activation lock.

Apple absolutely will NOT provide you with any information regarding the original owner or the owner of the account that was used to lock the device.

The fact that it is still activation locked is a good indicator that the device was stolen.

You are NOT the "legitimate owner".

Return it and get your money back if you can.

If you can't do that, you can either turn it over to the police or toss it in the nearest electronics recycling bin.

Congratulations. You wasted your money on a completely, utterly, totally, useless iPhone you can NEVER use. As has already been said, Apple will NOT help you. You aren't the original buyer, so you don't have the one document Apple will require, which is the original purchase receipt, which clearly shows the serial number on it. Without that, Apple WON'T do a thing for you.

Since the seller has magically disappeared, you have most assuredly been scammed and you likely own a stolen iPhone, which is worthless as a phone. Read this link --> The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community

Since you likely can't get your money back, recycle the phone responsibly and learn from this bad buying decision. Or use it as a paperweight, your choice. NEVER buy a used iPhone you can't see in person and validate it has been prepared appropriately for a new user.

the phone is useless to you.

Apple will not remove the activation lock for you.

Recycle the phone responsibly.

The activation lock is an anti-theft measure; it'll likely be refused. If you'd like to try anyway, click here and submit a request.

The people on these boards are mostly other customers and can't grant one in any case.

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the seller has become unreachable.

You bought a stolen iPhone, you are not the new legitimate owner. You are most likely in possession of stolen propery and if the owner has FindMy turned on, you could be facing jail time.

Turn it over to the police.