My busted ipod's serial number is scratched out and I need repairs?

I bought this ipod mini off of a guy who bought it off someone else.

The thing is busted and won't even turn on or charge and the case is banged up and the top and bottom covers are missing.

I wanted to get repairs on it and I was willing to pay but I saw that I needed to enter a serial number.

Unfortunately someone scratched the serial number out and I can't read it.

Am I screwed?