DESPICABLE

Tragic Joop died after party boat leap

- GEMMA RYDER

Cruel funeral conmen try to cash in

THE grieving family of a tourist who died after jumping from a party boat in Prague have been targeted by sick funeral scammers.

Joop Sparkes, from Galashiels, vanished after diving into the Vltava River on Sunday, April 27.

His body was recovered from the river in the Czech Republic a week later following an agonising search for him.

But within hours of his family announcing the tragic news on Facebook, "despicable" crooks had set up three fake pages to advertise his memorial service.

Stolen pictures of the 29-year-old were used to convince friends and family to part with cash for access to the livestream, with links. asking for bank details. 

His sister Jodie Wilson said: "It's absolutely despicable that these people target families who are grieving.