<p>This article offers an ethnographically grounded, differentiated view of so-called “clan crime”. Drawing on long-term fieldwork in Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia, it argues that repression alone fails to address the problems; prevention must be tailored to distinct patterns (individual, intra-family, opportunistic, professional). Deep mutual mistrust is the core barrier. Bridge-builders are effective only with clear mandates, protection, and independence. Beyond state reforms (frameworks, interfaces, sustained funding), communities must develop external-facing structures: unequivocal distance from criminal actors, professional NGO governance, representative mandates, and education-related routines. In this way, bridge-building work moves from symbolism to resilient practice.</p>