Call the sp (service provider) what happened is the phone had a lock on it and when you entered the code wrong 3 times it "bricks" it to stop potential theives from stealing phones, once you call the sp they'll ask you for the
imei # and check to see if it's been stolen, after that it's pretty easy. Also doesn't matter if the service he used to have is no longer in affect. I.E. canceled terminated etc. Once he pays for the phone it's his.