Maybe they're shy, or they just don't think their appearance is something that is important especially since it's online and a platonic relationship. For some it's strange, i know.. but for others it might make absolutely perfect sense. I am saying this because i ACTUALLY did this lol. I never showed my best friend what i looked like for almost 6 years but had described myself and they thought i was a catfish until one day i just ended up popping on my cam. i just had to do it when i was personally comfortable, not when i was pushed or pressured to do it.

That being said, that does NOT mean that the situation you are writing about is the same, they could be lying, not have a camera, unattractive in actuality or just in their own eyes. so many reasons. who knows. i'd just ask them straight up. But i always told people why i didn't do it.

It’s a long con ?

I think you've named all the reasons. I can't think of anything else.

That'd be me.

Appreciate the feedback. I did ask many times and never really got a straight answer. I never pushed (too hard)! Five plus years is a long time though. I found it very strange.

You’ve listed possible reasons.
Or they may want to preserve anonymity with you, despite the trust you think is established in your friendship.
Just ask why so you get a direct answer.

Because they don't want to. That should be enough.
In years I have only shared mine twice. And it will be many years before I do again. You never know what friend is going to flip out on you one day after years of friendship and now there's this weirdo with info and a pic of yours.
I'm more concerned with those who keep asking for a picture and when they don't get it, they go a post a question on why do a friend of five years refuses to show their picture.

Perhaps they just don't see the need if it's an online friendship.

Some questions need to be asked to the intended person directly. You can't expect a bunch of strangers (who don't know the inner workings of some stranger on the internets mind) to give you the answers only your friend knows. Posts like this give witch hunt vibes.

Posted pics of my wife and myself when I started a few months ago seemed like no one cared so eventually took them down no one has asked since! Think maybe that took the mystery out of wondering what we looked like just an average couple nothing special.

I believe it could be that they don't think of themselves as looking good. Or too good looking and not wanting attention for that alone, and last possibility I can think of is not wanting their identity stolen, having that happen before may cause a strong and understandable reason for not sharing one's actual face on a public forum again.

Hmmm.. trying to protect their identity in real life, for privacy reasons? Did they give you a reason why they won't?

Have they seen yours?

Those would be the most obvious reasons. Perhaps wanting to keep this place anonymous.

They are hiding something