The woman in the picture is attempting to control your destiny with that hand gesture. I used that gesture myself on a group of con-artists who were taking my money and it totally caused them to disband for good. Guess "God" grants wishes so long as you hold your hand the right way??
Its a power symbol in tibeton lore as well. In a book I was reading, it is used as you say to influence others. Many public figures use it...usually upside down in a passive manner as if thats how people naturally pose. Angela Merkel does it a lot. It was listed in a freemasons hidden gesture guide book as well.