Veteran Nollywood actor Emeka Ike has sparked conversations on social media after criticising people who enter romantic relationships with hidden financial motives, arguing that such behaviour turns love and marriage into a form of deception.

The actor made the remarks during an interview, where he addressed what he described as the growing trend of treating relationships as opportunities for financial gain rather than genuine companionship.

While insisting that love and marriage remain sacred, Ike said problems arise when one partner secretly expects material or financial benefits without making those intentions clear from the outset.

Speaking during the interview, Emeka Ike said, “Plenty girls are going into a relationship because of that they want to collect from the man. They should just go and be doing Bambiala and begging on the street instead. Love and marriage is not a scam but there’re few people that are hungry and using relationships as meal tickets, when you’re liking him for an end that he’s not aware of, that’s what makes it a scam.”

The actor maintained that genuine love should be the foundation of every successful relationship, warning against disguising financial interests as affection.