Can I find out if an ipad was stolen?

Ask the seller to remove it from their account. If it was stolen, they'll likely either block you or claim to have lost the information.

In general, there isn't an absolute way to tell, but units sold for an unusually cheap price, from random people on the street, or someone newly-registered on a site such as eBay are likely to be.

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If the prior owner doesn’t remove the device from his account, the device will NOT work for you.

Period.

There’s nothing more we can do; there’s nothing more Apple will do.

The device is functioning exactly as it was designed.

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support

Hello ~ Can your friend contact the seller? If the person/persons that your friend bought the iPad from cannot or will not remove it …the iPad is basically useless to you. If they cannot/will not remove it…return it and get their money back. We cannot help remove it nor can Apple. Take a look here:

Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Also:

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying a Used iPad/iPhone

~Katana-San~