<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.12

                             WORLDWIDE DATA, INC.
                               36 Toronto Street
                                   Suite 250
                        Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C2C5

            PURCHASE AGREEMENT made as of this 27 day of February, 1998, between
Worldwide Data, Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, and the purchaser
named on the signature page hereto (the "Purchaser").

            WHEREAS, the Company is engaged in the business of providing
Internet-based services, including internet access services and the creation of
intranets for corporations, and the Company is currently developing an on line
trading service, a service which will enable users to send faxes via the
Internet, and a service which will allow users to make voice calls via the
Internet (the "Business");

            WHEREAS, in order to finance the marketing and further development
of the Business, the Company wishes to issue and sell to the Purchasers, and the
Purchasers wish to purchase from the Company, on the Closing Date (as herein
defined), (i) an aggregate of up to 20,000 shares of the Company's common stock
(the "Shares"), up to 440,000 Class A stock purchase warrants (the "Class A
Warrants") and up to 900,000 Class B stock purchase warrants (the "Class B
Warrants", together with the Class A Warrants, the "Warrants"), all on the terms
and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth; and

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual
covenants herein contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1.    ISSUANCE AND SALE OP THE SHARES AND WARRANTS; REPRESENTATIONS BY PURCHASER

      1.1. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, on the Closing
Date, the Company shall issue and the Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase from
the Company, such number of the Company's Units as is set forth upon the
signature page hereof (the "Units") at a purchase price of five dollars ($5.00)
per Unit and the Company agrees to sell such Units to the Purchaser, for said
price. Each Unit will consist of one share of the Company's common stock, par
value $.001 (the "Common Stock"), twenty-two (22) Class A Warrants,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, each to purchase a share
of the Company's Common Stock on or before thirty-one (31) days after the
Closing Date, at an exercise price of $1.50 per share (the "Class A Purchase
Price") and forty-five (45) Class B Warrants, substantially in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit B, each to purchase a share of the Company's Common Stock at
any time after April 5, 1999 and expiring on April 5, 2001, at
<PAGE>

an exercise price of $1.00 per share (the "Class B Purchase Price").

            Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, within
thirty-one (31) days of the Closing Date, the Company shall issue and deliver to
each Purchaser certificates in definitive form, registered in the name of such
Purchaser or such Purchaser's nominee, evidencing the Shares and the Warrants so
issued and sold to such Purchaser hereunder. The Purchaser further agrees that
payment for the units shall be made to the Company, in accordance with any
instructions from the Company regarding such payment, in good funds on or before
March 2, 1998 (the "Closing Date"). To exercise the Warrants, the Purchaser
shall deliver to the Company a duly completed Notice of Exercise (in the form
attached to the Class A Warrant or the Class B Warrant) and payment of the Class
A Purchase Price or Class B Purchase Price, as applicable. This offering is not
conditioned on any minimum number of Units being sold.

            On or before the Closing Date, the Company shall exchange its
capital stock for the capital stock of Worldwide Online Corp. a Canadian company
("Worldwide Canada") and as a result, Worldwide Canada will become a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company which will continue to operate as a
Canadian company.

      1.2 The Purchaser acknowledges that it (a) is acquiring the Units for its
own account, for investment only, (b) either alone or together with its
advisors, has sufficient knowledge and experience in business, investment and
financial matters to evaluate the merits and risks of this investment; and (c)
is able to bear the substantial economic risks of this investment and, at the
present time, could afford a complete loss of such investment.

      1.3 The Purchaser represents that is has been furnished by the Company,
during the course of this transaction, with all information regarding the
Company and its principals which he or she had requested or desired to know;
that all documents which could be reasonably provided have been made available
for the Purchaser's inspection and review; and that the Purchaser has been
afforded the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from duly
authorized officers and/or other representatives of the Company concerning the
terms and conditions of the sale of Units, along with any additional information
which it had requested.

      1.4 The Purchaser acknowledges that it is aware that this sale of Units
has not been reviewed by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") because
of the Company's representations that it is intended, to be a nonpublic sale
pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act")
and the provisions of Rule 504 of Regulation D thereunder, or otherwise exempt
from registration under the Act and that, in the event that the Company becomes
a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the exemption
from registration under Rule 504 shall no longer be available and the shares
underlying the Class B Warrants would not be exempt from registration.
<PAGE>

      1.5 The Purchaser represents that it is an "Accredited Investor" as that
term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Act.

      1.6 The Purchaser recognizes that an investment in the Company involves a
high degree of risk, acknowledges that he or she may lose his or her entire
investment and has full cognizance of and understands the risk factors related
to an investment in the Company, which include, but are not limited to:

            (a) Acquisition of Worldwide Online Corp. The Company was
      incorporated in 1995. On or before the Closing Date the Company will
      effect a share exchange with Worldwide Canada, as a result of which
      Worldwide Canada will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
      Prior to the purchase of the capital stock of Worldwide Canada, the
      Company has had no significant business activities. The Company's only
      present asset is ownership of 264,706 shares of common stock of Worldwide
      Canada, which is equal to approximately 15% of the outstanding common
      Stock of Worldwide Canada. Consequently, the Company will be subject to
      all the risks inherent in the business of Worldwide Canada.

            (b) Acquisition of Worldwide Canada Not an Arms-Length Transaction.
      Bronson Conrad, together with entities with which he is affiliated,
      beneficially owns a controlling interest in Worldwide Canada and the
      Company and, as a result, the share exchange between Worldwide Data and
      the Company was not an arms-length transaction.

            (c) Development-Stage Company. The Company, through Worldwide
      Online, provides an internet-access service, creates intranets for
      corporations, is in the process of establishing an on-line service which
      will allow users to buy and sell securities from their personal computers
      and is presently commercializing a service which enables users to send
      faxes via the Internet on a cost effective basis. In addition, Worldwide
      Canada is in the process of developing a service which will allow users to
      make voice calls via the Internet. The likelihood of success of the
      Company must be considered in light of the problems, costs and delays
      encountered in connection with the development of new businesses in a
      rapidly evolving industry characterized by intense competition and an
      increasing and substantial number of new market entrants and new Internet
      products and services. No assurance can be given that the Company will
      generate sufficient revenues to sustain its operations or become
      profitable.

            (d) Limited Revenues; Losses. Neither the Company nor Worldwide
      Canada has generated any meaningful revenues. For the fiscal year ended
      December 31, 1997, Worldwide Canada had revenues of approximately
      $500,000. For the period from


                                       3
<PAGE>

      inception to the date hereof, both the Company and Worldwide Canada have
      incurred losses and its is anticipated that the Company and Worldwide
      Canada will continue to incur significant losses until, at the earliest,
      the Company and/or Worldwide Canada generate significant revenue from
      Worldwide Canada's Intranet-based services. There can be no assurance that
      the Company and/or Worldwide Canada will generate meaningful revenues or
      achieve profitable operation.

            (e) Business Plan. The Company's proposed plan of operation and
      prospects will be largely dependant upon the Company's continuing ability
      to create intranets for Corporations and to provide real-time on-line
      stock trading services to subscribers, as well as its ability to market
      its on-line fax service, WorldFAX, and its ability to develop and market
      is on-line voice calling service, WorldVOICF, on a timely and cost
      effective basis. The Company has limited experience in commercializing new
      Intranet products and services and there is limited information available
      concerning the potential performance or market acceptance of the services.
      There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully
      implement its business plan or that unanticipated problems, expenses or
      technical difficulties will not occur which would result in discontinu-
      ation of services the Company is providing or material delays in the
      implementation of services under development.

            (f) Dependence on Offering Proceeds; Uncertainty of Future Capital
      Needs. The capital requirements relating to implementation of the
      Company's business plan will be significant. The Company is dependant on
      the proceeds of this offering in order to fully implement its proposed
      plan of operation. The Company may need to raise additional funds through
      public or private offerings or equity financings in order to take
      advantage of unanticipated opportunities, including rapid expansion. If
      additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity securities, the
      percentage ownership of the then current stockholders may be reduced or
      such equity securities may possess rights senior to the holders of the
      Common Stock. There can be no assurance that additional financing will be
      available on terms favorable to the Company, or at all. In addition, the
      consummation of this offering is not contingent upon a minimum number of
      Units being sold. Consequently, if a limited number of Units are sold, the
      Company my not have sufficient resources to meet its business plan or
      capital needs in the short term, which would materially and adversely
      affect the Company's operations.

            (g) New Industry; Uncertainty or Market Acceptance. The Internet
      services industry is characterized by a limited operating history and a
      high rate of business failures. Because the market is relatively new and
      current and future


                                       4
<PAGE>

      competitors are likely to introduce competing Internet-based services, it
      is difficult to predict the rate at which the market will grow or at which
      new or increased competition will result in market saturation.

            (h) Possible Service Interruptions. The Company's operations require
      that its telecommunications networks operate on a continuous basis. It is
      possible that the Company's telecommunications networks may from time to
      time experience service interruptions or equipment failures. Service
      interruptions or equipment failures resulting in material delays would
      adversely effect the confidence of users of the services as well as the
      Company's business operations and reputation.

            (i) Capacity Constraints; System Failure and Security Risks. The
      Company's operations will depend upon the capacity, reliability and
      security of its network infrastructure. The Company currently has limited
      network capacity and will be required to continually expand its network
      infrastructure. Expansion of the Company's infrastructure will require
      significant financial, operational and management resources. There can be
      no assurance that the Company will be able to expand its infrastructure on
      a timely basis, at a commercially reasonable price, or at all. The
      Company's operations will also be dependent on the Company's ability to
      protect its computer equipment against damage from fire, power loss,
      telecommunications failures and similar events. The Company's network
      infrastructure will be vulnerable to computer viruses, break-ins and
      similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering with the Company's
      computer systems. Computer viruses or problems caused by third parties
      could lead to material interruptions, delays or cessation in services.
      Inappropriate use of the Internet by third parties could also potentially
      jeopardize the security of confidential information stored in the computer
      systems of users. Security and privacy concerns of users may limit the
      Company's ability to successfully market its services.

            (j) Technological Change. The market for Internet-based services is
      characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards,
      emerging competition and frequent new software and service introductions.
      There can be no assurance that the Company can successfully identify new
      product and service opportunities as they develop and bring new products
      and services to market in a timely manner or that software, services or
      technologies developed by others will not render the Company's services or
      technologies noncompetitive, obsolete or less marketable. The Company
      presently does not have any proprietary applications software. The
      Company's business is also subject to fundamental changes in the way
      Internet-based services are delivered.


                                       5
<PAGE>

            (k) Competition; Minimal Barriers to Entry. The market for Internet
      based services is extremely competitive. There are no substantial barriers
      to entry, and the Company expects that competition will intensify in the
      near future. The Company believes that success will depend upon a number
      of factors, including market presence, capacity, reliability and security
      of its network infrastructure. Furthermore, the Company will have to
      compete with the pricing policies of competitors and suppliers, the timing
      and introduction of new products and industry and general economic trends.

            The Company expects that all of the major on-line services and
      telecommunications companies will compete fully in the Internet-based
      services market. The Company believes that new competitors, including
      large computer hardware, software, media and other technology and
      telecommunications companies will enter the Internet-based services
      market, resulting in even greater competition. Such companies are larger
      and substantially more established, with far greater resources and
      financial capabilities than the Company.

            The Company anticipates that it will encounter significant pricing
      pressure, which in turn could result in reductions in the average selling
      price of the Company' services. Large telecommunications corporations may
      be able to reduce the communications costs involved in providing
      Internet-based services. There can be no assurance that the Company will
      be able to offset the effects of any such price reductions.

            (l) Limited Sales Force. The Company has a limited sales force and
      does not have established distribution channels for its products or
      services. No assurance can be given as to the ability of the Company to
      establish or generate sufficient demand for its services, and the
      inability of the Company to do so would have a material adverse effect on
      the Company's business, financial condition and operating results.

            (m) Dependence on Suppliers. The Company relies on other companies
      to supply certain key components of its network infrastructure, including
      telecommunications and networking equipment. There can be no assurance
      that the Company will be able to obtain such services on the scale and
      within the time frame required at a reasonable cost, or at all. The
      inability to do to would have a material adverse effect on the Company's
      business, financial condition and results of operations.

            (n) Dependence Upon Key Personnel; Bronson Conrad. The Company
      depends upon the services of Bronson Conrad, its President and Chief
      Executive Officer. The loss of Mr.


                                       6
<PAGE>

      Conrad's services would be detrimental to the Company's prospects. The
      Company does not contemplate obtaining "key-man" life insurance with
      respect to Mr. Conrad.

            (o) Limited Intellectual Property Protection. The Company relies on
      a combination of copyright and trademark laws, trade secrets and software
      security measures to protect its proprietary information. The Company
      currently has no registered copyrights or patents or patent applications
      pending. It may be possible for unauthorized third parties to copy aspects
      of, or otherwise obtain and use, the Company's proprietary information
      without authorization.

            (p) Broad Discretion in Application of Proceeds. The estimated net
      proceeds of this offering have been allocated to working capital and
      general corporate purposes. Accordingly, the Company's management will
      have broad discretion as to the application of such proceeds.

            (q) NASDAQ's OTC Bulletin Board Service; Risks Relating to Low
      Priced Stocks. The Company's Common Stock currently trades on NASDAQ'S OTC
      Bulletin Board Service. Such market is characterized by limited and
      episodic trading and limited liquidity. Investors could find it difficult
      to dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of
      the Company's Common Stock.

            (r) Possible Inapplicability of Rule 504 Exemption to Class B
      Warrants. The sale of the Units is intended to be exempt form registration
      pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Act and the provisions of Rule 504 of
      Regulation D thereunder. In the event that the Company becomes a reporting
      company under the Federal securities laws prior to the exercise of the
      Class B Warrants, the Class B Warrants will not be eligible for the
      exemption from registration under Rule 534 and, unless the Company
      registers the Common Stock underlying the Class B Warrants, the Class B
      Warrants will not be exercisable.

            (s) Control By Bronson Conrad; Disproportionate Voting Rights.
      Following completion of the offering, Bronson Conrad, together with
      entities with which he is affiliated will beneficially own, in the
      aggregate, over approximately 15% of the Company's fully diluted Common
      Stock on an as-converted basis. As a result, Mr. Conrad has the ability to
      substantially influence or control the election of a majority of directors
      and other actions by stockholders with respect to the business and affairs
      of the Company.

      1.7 The Purchaser is not taking, and will not take or cause to be taken,
any action that would cause the Purchaser to be deemed an underwriter, as
defined in Section 2(11) of the Act with respect to the Units, other than to the
extent the undersigned may be


                                       7
<PAGE>

      deemed to be an underwriter in connection with sales by it of Units
      registered under the Act.

      1.8 The Purchaser understands that the Units are being offered and sold in
reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of Federal
and state securities laws and that the Company is relying upon the truth and
accuracy of the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgements and
understandings set forth herein in order to determine the applicability of such
exemptions and the suitability of the Purchaser to acquire the Units.

      1.9 The Purchaser has the full right, power and authority to enter into
this agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this agreements by
the Purchaser has been duly and validly authorized and approved by all necessary
corporate action, if any. This agreement is a valid and binding agreement of the
Purchaser enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
other similar laws and legal and equitable principles limiting or affecting the
rights of creditors generally and/or (b) general principles of equity,
regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

      1.10 The Purchaser maintains a domicile or business at the address shown
on the signature page of this Agreement, at which address and in compliance with
the local laws of which the Purchaser has subscribed for the Units hereunder.

      1.11 The Purchaser represents that the foregoing representations and
warranties are true and correct as of the date hereof. The foregoing
representations, warranties and agreements shall survive the date hereof.

2.    REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS BY THE COMPANY

      2.1 The Company represents and warrants and, where applicable, covenants
to the Purchaser as follows:

            (a) The Company is a corporation duly organized, existing and in
      good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware and has the
      corporate power to conduct the business which it proposes to conduct.

            (b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the
      Company has been duly approved by the Board of Directors of the Company.

            (c) The Shares to be sold and delivered to the Purchaser hereunder
      will be duly authorized and validly issued and, upon payment, fully paid
      and non-assessable.


                                       8
<PAGE>

            (d) The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of
      its authorized capital stock, solely for the purpose of issue upon
      conversion of the Warrants, such number of shares of the Common Stock as
      shall be issuable upon the exercise of all outstanding Warrants. All
      shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants shall, upon
      issuance in accordance with the terms hereof, be duly and validly issued
      and fully paid and non assessable and free from all taxes, liens,
      encumbrances and charges with respect to the issue thereof.

3.    MISCELLANEOUS

      3.1 Any notice or other communication given hereunder shall be deemed
sufficient if in writing and sent by registered or certified mail, return
receipt required, addressed to the Company, at:

            Worldwide Data, Inc.
            36 Toronto Street, Suite 250
            Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C2C5

and to the Purchaser at his address indicated on the last page of this
Agreement. Notices shall be deemed to have been given on the date or mailing,
except notices of change of address, which shall be deemed to have been given
when received.

      3.2 This Agreement shall not be changed, modified or amended except by a
writing signed by the parties to be charged.

      3.3 This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and to their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors
and assigns.

      3.4 This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding
between the parties as to the subject matter thereof and merges and supercedes
all prior discussions, agreements and understandings of any and every nature
among them.

      3.5 This Agreement and its validity, construction and performance shall be
governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New York.

      3.6 This Agreement may be executed in counterparts. Upon the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Purchaser, this Agreement shall become a
biding obligation of the Purchaser with respect to the purchase of Units as
herein provided.


                                       9
<PAGE>

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first written above.


                                        Number of units purchased
                                        at $5.00 per Unit: 5,000 Units


                                        KEW Holdings Ltd.
                                        (Name of Purchaser)


                                        /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
                                        --------------------------------

                                        [ILLEGIBLE], Nassau Bahamas
                                        --------------------------------
                                        Address of Purchaser


                                        N/A
                                        --------------------------------
                                        Social Security or Taxpayer:
                                        Identification No. of Purchaser


                                        /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
                                        --------------------------------
                                        Signature of Purchaser

Accepted by:

WORLDWIDE DATA, INC.


By: /s/ Bronson Conrad
    ----------------------------
    Bronson Conrad, President
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                             FORM OF CLASS A WARRANT
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                             FORM OF CLASS B WARRANT