Can you unlock a stole iphone to use as a itouch?

I had recently purchased an iphone 5 for cheap and upon restoring the device, it had asked me for the apple ID of the previous user. I tried contacting him and he has not been responding and it's been over 1 week.
I know I had been completely scammed by the guy (he probably found the phone and tried making quick cash with it). In any case, am i able to get the phone unlocked by a guy and use it as an itouch basically.

I know that I will need the old apple ID to use it as a phone with a SIM card, but the question is… Will i be able to get it unlocked and basically bypass the icloud activation with the intent of not using it as a phone but as an itouch?

You should contact the email address connected to the Apple ID. By now I'm sure they have another phone. This will right the wrong and they could possibly help you out so you can make the phone your own since you did pay for it.

You can

Only Real way to do it is to get someone to do it for you, you will probally have to pay though.
I have a friend who does this
Hit him up here.
https://www.facebook.com/...activation