Hi, I purchased a used iphone 11. I cannot get past the activation lock step.

I purchased a used iphone and I cannot get past the activation lock screen because it is linked to another Apple ID. I suspect this means the person who sold me the phone maybe did not own it, because after my attempts to ask for his information, he stopped answering my messages.

I would be happy to return the phone to its owner if that is the case.

Or is the a way to request apple to assign my apple id to this phone?

Thank you.