An ex-convict, who committed a series of fraudulent conversions and obtained money by false pretence, said that after spending over seven years in jail his life is now transformed and he wants to apologize to everyone he would have wronged, as he now totally regrets his actions.
Tameshwar Beekham, 38, of Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice, said that although he is unable to repay the dozens of persons he robbed or to reconstruct the characters he tarnished, he wished to let those persons know that he is sincerely sorry.
In an interview with Stabroek News, he offered apologies to Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix (a former police commissioner), and a host of other persons as well as the US Embassy, the Canadian High Commission.
The repentant Beekham said that he had unlawfully used the name and office of Felix, while he was commissioner, for his personal gain. He said he had also falsely pretended to be employed by the US Embassy and the Canadian High Commission to scam money from innocent persons.
Beekham said the main reason for the tremendous transformation in his life is because he was introduced to Jesus Christ whilst in prison and he decided to change his religion and accept Jesus into his life.
The former customs officer who said he was once surrounded by bodyguards while he enjoyed riotous living related that his life was reduced to nothing because of the wickedness and poor choices he made. “The greed and the lust I had for money, destroyed my life and all my relationships with my family, friends and community,” Beekham said while repeatedly asking for forgiveness.
Beekham informed Stabroek News that he was employed with the Berbice Anti-Smuggling Squad (BASS) and was once a ‘wanted man’ for three years, but because of his money and influence he could not be arrested. The man said that in total he would have scammed people of about $100 million, which was all wasted and short lived, but he said he is happy that he is not in possession of any of the money as he wants to make a fresh start without guilt.
Some of his bodyguards were part of the group that worked with Roger Khan, he said, and nobody had the authority to arrest him. He said he always bribed his way through.
The freed prisoner, who said that he learnt his lesson and wished his life could restart so that he could relive the years he wasted, is now passionate about trying to meet hopeless people and offer inspiration to the depressed.
Beekham said he was sentenced to a total of 94 years in prison for the scores of charges, but since the sentences were concurrent he was only required to serve seven years and three months.
During his incarceration, the former prisoner said, he cooperated with the law men and was well behaved and as a result he was put in charge of prisoners and was able to impact the Berbice Prison significantly with his skills and leadership ability.
Beekham said that although he appears insignificant and very poor to many at the moment, he is blessed to have the Kingdom of God in his life which far outweighs his former life.
“I am the least right now, and I want to be a healer, to inspire people, to just go about and encourage people,” a passionate Beekham said.
The first step towards meeting people who are hurting with his message is to meet those he robbed to offer his apology. “The first thing I want to do is to ask them people for forgiveness,” he said.
Beekham was sentenced on August 26, 2005 and released from prison on November 24, 2012. He said that after he was released from prison, there was temptation to be involved in illegal drugs and activities, as those were the only opportunities coming his way, since nobody wanted to employ him. Beekham recalled questioning God as to why he was released from prison and had to be placed in an environment where he was only exposed to criminal activities.
However, he thanked the church which welcomed him with open arms and offered prayers and encouragement.
Proclaiming himself a former staunch supporter of the former government, Beekham expressed optimism in the new administration, stating that he felt “so clean and pure when this new government takeover.” He said he was willing to work cleaning drains because he “feel so happy.”
He said there was hopelessness under the former administration, “…it was like the only way to make money was through corruption.” He said too that he was “a racist but it had to take the manifestation of God to change me.”
Beekham said he has an appointment with Channel 6 to offer his apologies on television.
