- If you can provide proof of legal purchase (the receipt must include the serial number etc), you may be able to get it unlocked at https://al-support.apple.com/
- There were a few cases of the owner dying and their relatives being unable to unlock their devices. Starting in iOS 15.2 and macOS 12.1, the owner can designate a Legacy Contact who can access their iCloud data and unlock their devices if they die: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208510 So Apple did make progress in "working around" this problem for legitimate cases.
- If you bought it second-hand... then it's good thing there is no workaround, because preventing resale of stolen devices is the whole point. Return it to the seller and demand your money back.
- There were a few cases of the owner dying and their relatives being unable to unlock their devices. Starting in iOS 15.2 and macOS 12.1, the owner can designate a Legacy Contact who can access their iCloud data and unlock their devices if they die: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208510 So Apple did make progress in "working around" this problem for legitimate cases.
- If you bought it second-hand... then it's good thing there is no workaround, because preventing resale of stolen devices is the whole point. Return it to the seller and demand your money back.