BLAKESLEE, MONROE COUNTY - Members of the Pocono Vietnam Veterans of  America (VVA) were crushed when they learned a local hero is not who he claimed to be.

"Totally devastated. Devastated. Hurt. Felt deceived," said Debra Russo. Howard Polbos added, "When you have to brag about what you did. There's always something funny."

Eyewitness News has video of Jeffrey Muller visiting Washington DC in 1990. During that visit he wore a pile of distinguished medals and bragged about combat in Vietnam.

Jeff moved to Blakeslee last year and befriended VVA members. They believed his stories and even helped him pay bills until he tried to officially join the group and his paperwork looked forged. "I am just so mad," said Ray Russo.

Eyewitness News obtained documents that prove Jeffrey Miller never served in Vietnam and never earned a prestigious medal. Ralph Keiper said, "I cared about him and then when you have this happen, it creates a deep hurt."

Jeff refused to talk to Eyewitness News. He sent his friend Calvin Williams to speak on his behalf. Calvin said, "You're not going to get a comment out of them."

He believes Jeff is a decorated veteran. Eyewitness News offered to show him paperwork that proved otherwise but he refused to look at it. He said he will continue to support Miller because no one has filed charges against him.

Officials say the FBI is investigating and charges could eventually be filed. Howard Polbos said, "If it comes to being fined and prison time - I think he deserves it."

It is illegal to claim you are a military hero unless you actually earned the honors. Polbos remarked, "It's both insulting and hurting."

An organization called the P.O.W. Network tracks phonies. It investigates at least twenty complaints a week. Eyewitness News spoke with P.O.W. researcher Mary Schantag. She said there's an epidemic of hoax heroes. She explained, "They want to lead the parades, they want to get ladies, they want to have an easy life."

Schantag said people falsify documents with computer programs and buy medals online. The Stolen Valor Act of 2005 makes it illegal to claim you are a military hero. Violators could face fines and up to a year in prison.

Schantag explained federal investigators are often too overwhelmed with other crimes to focus on impersonators. She said, "If we had state laws that paralleled the federal violations we could get this through the court system much faster than we are able to do now."

Pocono VVA members say they encourage state lawmakers to write similar laws so no one can steal valor or dishonor real heroes. "You can't hide. The days of hiding are over," said Glen Lippincott.

Many veterans said they get especially upset about frauds because they take up space in VA Hospitals. Eyewitness News does not yet know if Jeff is receiving undeserved hospital care but will continue to investigate.