A couple of hours ago, a series of personal photos presumably belonging to Rihanna surfaced on several sites from the darkest corners of the Internet, US media outlets inform. Showing the singer in what can only be described as compromising postures, the photos are taking the net by storm, as legal representatives for Rihanna and her record label are trying to keep them offline, TMZ confirms.

Of the batch of pics, only two show Rihanna’s face, including one tattoo she has on the finger, and they are the least damaging to her image. The others, several celebrity-oriented publications are pointing out, could very well be of just a girl who bears a resemblance to the “Umbrella” star, since her face is either blocked by the camera she handles herself, or not shown at all. Nevertheless, the attitude of Def Jam Music Group attorneys seems to indicate that, if anything, the girl in the photos is Rihanna.

“TMZ has learned the legal department at Island Def Jam Music Group, RiRi’s label, sent a letter to at least one website that published the photos. The letter refers to ‘unauthorized photos purported to be... Rihanna,’ demands that the photos be removed from the site, and calls the photos a violation of ‘the Artist’s rights’.” TMZ says. Interestingly enough, TMZ points out, the cease and desist letters neither confirm nor deny that the woman pictured is truly Rihanna – but they might as well do the former since they claim copyright violation as the reason for the demand to have the pics pulled down.

The theory that is currently making the rounds in the blogosphere is that Rihanna took these pictures of herself as a gift to Chris Brown, who, as fans must know, allegedly assaulted her back on February 8. One photo that could be used as supporting argument shows a woman who looks like Rihanna standing in front of the bathroom mirror in close to nothing. Scribbled on the mirror are the words “I love you – Robyn. I miss you.” Robyn is the singer’s legal name, which has prompted many to speculate that Brown could have written the words before heading out, and Rihanna was echoing the “I love you” sentiment with a picture of herself.

As of now, Rihanna’s publicist has kept mum on the scandal. Of the sites that have hosted the pics, several have already taken them down, in what is believed to be a massive campaign on behalf of the record label to keep the singer’s reputation intact. A statement should be released concerning the scandal any hour now, several publications say, so keep an eye on this space for when it drops.