Apple Watch apple account

Really hope someone is able to help me i really don't think this a TELUS question but more of a Apple question just wanted to try i had apple watch series 8 i was no longer using so i wanted to give to a friend now i haven't used it in a few months but before i gave it to them i did do the necessary steps to wipe it and take it off my apple account but now when my friend went to add it to there phone it comes up saying its apple watch locked to owner come up with a email that i don't recognize and its not my friends email account how could there be a account when this watch has not left my side. would apple be able to help me out? i have the original paperwork with s/n#