[Nextgrid]

iMessage doesn't actually require an account. You can be banned from iCloud and still use iMessage.

[alexb_]

but iMessage requires you to use an iPhone...

[Nextgrid]

Which you can buy for cash if necessary. There's no way to ban you from buying an iPhone.

[alexb_]

I think you missed the topic of this thread.

[Miraste]

What are you going to do with an iPhone without an Apple account? Use it as a coffee coaster?

[Nextgrid]

The only important functionality that requires an Apple account is the App Store. For that you can create an account with no/limited identifying information and pay for it via iTunes gift cards if necessary. A ban is trivial to circumvent.