SINGAPORE – It took seven hours for tattoo artist Brandon Christopher to etch an image of a Tibetan phurba dagger into the arm of his client.

But the man, who was supposed to pay $500, left without settling the bill.

Now the tattoo studio is trying to track him down, posting his name and photo on its Instagram account.

Mr Brandon, who works at the Inkvasion studio in Far East Plaza, said the man asked to use the toilet at the end of the tattoo session on June 30.

But he did not return, texting the tattoo artist later that “something urgent cropped up” and that he would transfer the money when he reached home.

“I thought he would do a bank transfer right away because that’s what people usually do,” said Mr Brandon, who has been a tattoo artist since 2014.

When he chased for payment later that night, the man asked if he could transfer the money before July 18 – when he was supposed to return for a second tattoo session.

When Mr Brandon said no, the man appeared to block the tattoo artist from sending him more messages.

The client had another unfinished tattoo of a tiger done by another tattoo artist, which Mr Brandon was supposed to complete during the second session on July 18. He had paid a $100 deposit for this booking.

“I am disappointed at how this unfolded – $500 may not be a big deal to some people, but it is to me,” said Mr Brandon, 31.

“I spend a lot of time tattooing, which is extremely tiring and taxing. I could have easily given a slot to someone else who would actually pay,” he added.

The tattoo studio said the man has other unfinished tattoos.

Attempts by The Straits Times to contact him on Monday were unsuccessful.

Said Mr Brandon: “I just want to make sure that this does not happen to other fellow artists in the community… It’s a big waste of time. I felt so disappointed and dejected.”

He and the studio have reported the matter to the police.

Veteran criminal lawyer Amolat Singh said the police may not investigate cases like this because there is a civil remedy.

He pointed out that the studio can file a magistrate’s complaint – either online or through a lawyer – at the State Courts with the man’s particulars, since he allegedly obtained services dishonestly or fraudulently.

This is an offence under the Penal Code and, if found guilty, he could be jailed for up to 10 years, fined, or both.

Alternatively, the studio could file a civil claim with the Small Claims Tribunal if it is seeking only payment, he added.

“It will take some time to meander through the court process. The Small Claims Tribunal might be cheaper, faster, simpler and less daunting,” he said.