LOS ANGELES: Singer Rihanna is in trouble after she was caught working as a tattoo artiste without a licence to do so.

The 21-year-old was spotted wielding a needle in Manhattan parlour East Side Ink and she etched umbrella designs and the letter R on three resident artistes.

Contactmusic.com reports that the session could end up costing her dear, because

tattooists need a licence to hold a needle in New York.

Rihanna could be fined almost $2,000 for the three misdemeanour offences.

"Only licensed tattoo artists can administer tattoos in the city according to the CityTonight: s Health Code. We are sending someone down to follow up on this," said a New York City Health Department spokesperson.