So how do I contact the previous owner? I am an innocent victim. I bought a phone and now am stuck with it. I'd be willing to return it to the owner or pay them to unlock it. Please help!

It appears that you bought an iPhone and that you cannot activate it because it is activation lock. You therefore either need the original owner to unlock it by removing it from his/her Apple ID or you need that person's Apple ID and Password. There is no way around this. Where did you buy the iPhone? Best thing to do is to return it and get a refund. If you cannot get a hold of the seller then I am sorry to say that you will have a non-working iPhone in your possession.

Axel F.

Does the person who sold it to you not know who holds the Activation Lock? Or have they disappeared after selling you a stolen iPhone? If they have you've been scammed, report it to your local authorities and give them the iPhone. Apple for privacy reasons will not assist you in locating the previous owner.