There are many scam apps on playstore and also scam extensions on chrome store. Sorry for being a victim and thanks for reporting this. If the developer of the app can be fetched out by Google, this will be great. Wish you the best in getting your funds back.
Now, I think I will always take all normal precautions before using any wallet app on playstore.
Like checking reviews of other users
Checking the developer info
Checking related apps and so on.
You can also report them if you find one. That's what OP did when found out that the app was a scam and a copy of Exodus. You're right that there are many of them and problem is with google play, they don't check those apps that they publish.
Whether it is legit or not and a scam, they don't have precautions or additional requirements for them to add it into their store. A lot of apps have been reported to them and they have to be aware of it but still, no actions from them although they remove those apps if they are reported.