It was a simple scam, but it sufficed to get a thief inside a Langley apartment to grab a woman's purse earlier this month.

On Feb. 2, a Langley apartment resident got a knock on her door from the "apartment manager" who said he need to check out her unit due to a water leak.

She let the man in, and after he left noticed her purse was missing.

Witnesses spotted the man leaving the building, but without a purse. It was later found in the building's stairwell, with all the woman's cash removed, said Cpl. Holly Marks, spokesperson for the Langley RCMP.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian in his late 40s, 5'10 to 6' tall, with a slim build and short hair. He had a very red face, possibly from acne, and was wearing a light coloured jacket and dark pants.

The man said his name was "Gray" when he spoke to the victim.

Anyone with information about the suspect or the crime can call the Langley RCMP at 604-532-3200 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).