The state Office of Consumer Protection filed a lawsuit yesterday to stop an unaccredited university from operating in Hawai'i.

The complaint, against San Francisco International University Inc., is the latest in a series of lawsuits filed against Mainland and local institutions that offer college degrees for a fee. In most cases, no classes are taken and students receive degrees for performing little or no work.

The state has taken legal action against nearly 60 of the so-called "diploma mills" and received court judgments against many of the schools, said Stephen Levins, executive director of the Office of Consumer Protection.

"Having these fly-by-night colleges degrades the real legitimate universities and schools of higher learning that do operate in Hawai'i and do provide an excellent education to students," Levins said.

The latest complaint alleges that San Francisco International University does not have offices or employees in the state, has failed to disclose that it is not an accredited institution and has illegally accepted tuition and fees.

The lawsuit is seeking to prevent San Francisco International University from operating in the state. It also wants a judge to order the school to repay students in full, plus interest.

Levins declined to comment on this case, and it was not known how many Hawai'i residents may be involved.

The school's Web site was not operating yesterday, and officials could not be reached for comment.

Levins said many people who seek degrees from these schools know what they're getting into. But he said there are students who believe they are applying to a legitimate institution.

He said fees can vary from $2,000 for a bachelor's degree to $6,000 for a doctorate.

"There are people primarily in other countries that think that they're dealing with a legitimate school," Levins said. "Distance-learning education is something that is widely accepted now, and scores of accredited institutions offer it.

"But some of these schools put up these fancy Web sites and make it look like Harvard, and it's really nothing except a Web site."

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.