Can I use the helio ocean for cricket service or is this a scam???

I bought a helio ocean phone on google. When I bought the phone I was under the impression that I could just transfer the service to the helio phone. I have service through Cricket and I called and had Cricket activate the helio ocean phone. Cricket told me what I need to do to activate the phone is dial *228. The problem is when I turn the helio phone on it asks me for the phone # and the activation code. I enter my phone # and then *228 and I get nothing??? I called helio and they said that the helio ocean could not be used for cricket uses?? Please help!! Is there a solution to this problem? Can I use the helio ocean for cricket service or is this a scam???