matrix badly scaled

[0241]

Trying to invert a matrix, I get the warning that the matrix is close to singular or badly scaled, with a very low RCOND value =10^(-16). The determinant of this matrix is, however, not close to zero at all (e.g. of different cases when I get that message: Det = 2 x 10^47j, or -7 x 10^46 -2 x 10^31j or -2 x 10^45). The intersting thing is that I get the warrning when Det = -2.59 x 10^45 but not when Det = -2.99 x 10^45.


What does "badly scaled" mean?
What could the problem be?

Thanks!